Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder and knee conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis is granted service connection.,An initial rating of 40 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis is granted, effective May 20, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left hip disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to his in-service right hip disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary arteriosclerosis, and multiple joint issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since July 26, 2023. The Board has granted an effective date of that day for the award of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left knee, finding that there is a causal relationship between these conditions and service based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The issue of an increased disability rating for his right ankle condition is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability, which includes instability and degenerative arthritis, was denied. The current 20 percent rating is upheld as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and cervical strain (neck strain with muscle spasm) as secondary to the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The rating for the lumbar spine disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot and osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's left knee joint osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, chondromalacia and limitation of extension is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran was granted a rating for his left knee joint osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, chondromalacia and limitation of flexion but denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis is remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2020 VA examination, which did not include estimated range of motion measurements considering functional loss.

The Veteran's other specified trauma or stress related disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his bilateral hand disabilities are granted service connection based on direct evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of evidence showing entitlement arose prior to April 30, 2024.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was dismissed. The Board also remanded her claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis rating was restored to 40%, and an effective date of July 26, 2013, for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was granted. The intermediate rate SMC effective date also aligns with this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left leg, including residuals of a laceration to her left knee. The VA examiner found that there is not a nexus between the claimed in-service event or injury and the current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are granted service connection, while anxiety is denied. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection for left elbow tendinitis is remanded due to lack of evidence.