Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical strain with spondylosis have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to his active duty service.,Tinnitus has also been granted service connection, attributed to in-service exposure to hazardous noise.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.

The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is also remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding its severity without considering medication effects.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and right knee strain are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected internal derangement of the left knee, considering whether obesity is a substantial factor in their development.

The Veteran's claim for lower back strain and middle back strain is dismissed as the Veteran was previously awarded service connection for degenerative disc disease of the spine in a prior rating decision.,The Veteran's claims for right knee disability, prostate cancer, hypertension, degenerative arthritis in left hand or fingers, and degenerative arthritis in right hand are all remanded due to duty to assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee degenerative arthritis, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate findings from a VA examination, and the need for further medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with the effective date for service connection and will consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective from August 21, 2023. The TDIU award is granted with an effective date of August 21, 2023, the same day service connection for PTSD was established. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a fungal infection of the feet, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and psychiatric condition due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine was granted with effective dates of May 13, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis of the right shoulder began in service and has continued since, granting service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left foot hallux rigidus was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating due to moderate symptoms and no actual loss of use.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (anxiety, depression, insomnia) is remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and instability, is rated at 10 percent. The rating for extension was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left ankle scar is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating.,The Veteran's left ankle fracture with osteoarthritis and tendinitis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded this issue for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, including thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS. The decision finds that the Veteran's current disability is causally related to his military service due to an accident during training in 1963.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding his service-connected conditions and related disability ratings, effective as of March 16, 2026.