Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's right thumb disability rating was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, but the reduction is now reinstated. The Veteran also has issues with his right wrist that are secondary to his right thumb condition and needs a TDIU determination.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected and the Board finds it was not caused by or aggravated by his low back disability.,His radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are both rated at 20 percent, as per the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation greater than 10 percent for right knee tendonitis with degenerative arthritis was withdrawn.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's PTSD was caused by an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied. The effective date of SMC and DEA benefits based on permanent and total disability status is granted.

The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, bilateral elbow nerve damage, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome must be remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and the need for further medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, migraines (headaches), and right knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased disability ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion, requiring a new examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee and ankle conditions, as well as sinusitis, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent claims for increased ratings for his back condition, LLE radiculopathy, and RLE radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from March 12, 2014, to October 28, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee condition.,Service connection has also been granted for liver condition (to include NASH), sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus, type II, all secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 10 percent. The appeal is denied as the conditions do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted a separate rating of 20 percent for right knee instability, effective December 30, 2020. The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his right knee strain with instability and degenerative arthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hip and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings to 10 percent each, effective September 3, 2025.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of June 24, 2016 for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left lower peripheral vein insufficiency (CVI) and varicose veins, right lower peripheral vein insufficiency (CVI) and varicose veins, left knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee joint osteoarthritis.,The effective dates are based on the Veteran's formal appeal of the July 2019 Statement of the Case and December 2016 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disorder is granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective May 8, 2023. The appeal for increased ratings remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied. The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, diabetic nephropathy chronic kidney disease, right great toe bunion and gout, and TDIU are all granted.