Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's reduction in evaluation for left knee instability from 10 percent to 0 percent was improper, and his prior 10 percent rating is restored. The Board also found that SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) should be granted starting May 13, 2024.

The Veteran's initial rating for left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis was denied. The Veteran also had his cervical spine radiculopathy granted, as well as a grant of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis effective March 13, 2018.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was granted effective December 27, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions has been dismissed as the claims are final due to lack of timely appeal within one year of the October 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran's heart failure is rated at 60 percent, but no higher. The Board found the evidence persuasive against a finding of a current diagnosis for vertigo, voiding dysfunction, and chronic kidney disease.,Service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis was remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as the AOJ did not assist in its development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied.,Effective date determinations were not provided as the decisions are in denial.

The Veteran's back condition is granted as direct service connection, with the Board finding that his symptoms began during and have continued since service.

The Board has granted service connection for various degenerative arthritis conditions of the Veteran's lumbar spine, hips, knees, and elbows. These conditions are presumed to have onset within one year of discharge from active service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, left foot gout with hallux valgus, right foot gout with hallux valgus, left wrist degenerative arthritis with gout, right wrist degenerative arthritis with gout, left ankle degenerative arthritis with gout, right ankle degenerative arthritis with gout, membranous nephropathy, hypertension, left lower extremity varicose veins, and right lower extremity varicose veins.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all his claims, including service connection for tinnitus and increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis and bilateral gynecomastia.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is dismissed as it remains pending in a legacy system and no statement of the case has been issued.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to procedural issues. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date is October 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is denied. The current rating of 20% adequately reflects the limitation of motion.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 10% for his service-connected left and right knee painful motions are denied. The current ratings reflect the limited range of motion due to pain.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, right knee joint osteoarthritis, left knee joint osteoarthritis, chest disability manifested by pain, left leg disability manifested by pain, right ankle disability manifested by pain, sleep apnea, and right ear hearing loss. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not meet the regulatory threshold for a current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, rated at 40 percent, has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since May 10, 2018.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for IVDS with degenerative arthritis and lumbar spondylosis, as well as radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, have been granted at a 20% rating each. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment since May 15, 2017.

The Veteran's left side trigeminal and cranial nerve damage after surgery is rated at 10 percent, as it manifests with incomplete moderate paralysis.,The Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, as it does not manifest flexion limited to 30 degrees or limitation of abduction beyond 10 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with status post fracture of c6 spinous process (neck disability) and degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and vertebral fracture (back disability).