Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

An effective date of July 7, 2021, but no earlier, is granted for the award of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis.,The effective dates for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are denied as they arose on May 1, 2024.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The medical evidence supports that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is due to overuse and wear and tear from compensating for his right shoulder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that his current diagnoses were not related to his active service or any chronic condition shown in service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's back pain did not start during service and was not continuous since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The appeal of the claim for entitlement to an earlier effective date for a left shoulder disability is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the increased rating claim for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they are not related to active duty service or any period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA service. The appellant's claims are based on secondary service connection due to a non-service-connected condition (Lyme disease), but the evidence does not support this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PFB, hypertension, and right knee degenerative arthritis. The claims for left shoulder disability and skin rash have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and thoracolumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology, particularly in relation to service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is being remanded due to procedural errors. The Board will need to gather the Veteran's complete occupational history and income information from each year on appeal.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis/degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome was restored to 40 percent effective September 25, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip condition and denied effective dates prior to August 9, 2024, for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.,The Board also denied service connection for a right hip condition. The Veteran's current effective date for service connection is consistent with when she first received treatment for her back issues.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids has been granted.,Service connection is established for major depressive disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress.,Service connection is established for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis.,Service connection is established for cervical strain and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is established for left shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post subacromial decompression surgery.,Service connection is established for right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post subacromial decompression surgery.,Service connection is established for migraine headaches.,Service connection is established for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is established for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since January 22, 2018. The Board has granted an effective date of January 22, 2018 for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was restored to 40 percent effective May 1, 2025.

The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis and right shoulder impingement are rated at 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The decision grants these ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his PTSD, depression, or any other single service-connected disability. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The AOJ is required to obtain a new examination and opinion for these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted service connection, and her non-allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.