Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective June 19, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and from November 9, 2021 to June 18, 2024 has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis was granted with a 20% disability rating effective December 2, 2019. The decision does not specify the effective date as it is based on evidence showing actual worsening of the condition within one year prior to the claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and a higher disability rating for chronic scalp folliculitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations as needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been granted an initial 40 percent rating, effective May 29, 2020. Service connection for right shoulder tendinopathy, left shoulder interstitial tear of the teres minor tendon, and right wrist sprain/degenerative arthritis have also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left thumb osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service as a helicopter pilot.

The Veteran's initial claim for anxiety disorder was granted and assigned a 30 percent rating effective December 18, 2019. The appeal is now remanded to determine if the Veteran warrants an increased rating.,Both issues of entitlement to higher ratings for degenerative arthritis, cervical spine and service connection for headaches secondary to this condition are also being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis lumbar spine are related to his military service. The claims for GERD and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,PTSD resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Tension headaches did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on characteristic prostrating attacks.,Degenerative arthritis of cervical spine did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of motion.,Right shoulder impingement did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of motion.,Left shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of motion.,IBS manifested as moderate, frequent episodes of abdominal distress and did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to incomplete development in the previous rating decision. The Veteran is required to provide evidence of a nexus between his current shoulder conditions and military service.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and right knee degenerative arthritis, but has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities due to a lack of development.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board finds that the appropriate effective date is March 8, 2022, as it was within one year of the Intent to File (ITF) received on March 8, 2022.,The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 20% rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board finds that the appropriate effective date is March 8, 2021, as it was within one year of the Intent to File (ITF) received on March 8, 2022.,The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE). The Board finds that the appropriate effective date is March 8, 2021, as it was within one year of the Intent to File (ITF) received on March 8, 2022.,The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE). The Board finds that the appropriate effective date is March 8, 2021, as it was within one year of the Intent to File (ITF) received on March 8, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in developing the record and obtaining a medical opinion. The Veteran's back disabilities, including scoliosis, are being reviewed again with an emphasis on verifying his periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IDT), as well as obtaining a new medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of his back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary 100% evaluation for convalescence due to a May 2019 left ankle surgery is denied as the left ankle disability was not service-connected at the time of the surgery.

Your claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted, making the appeals moot.

The Board has remanded several issues, including earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran's left wrist degenerative arthritis and right elbow lateral epicondylitis were granted in December 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, athlete's foot, right foot condition, and shoulder degenerative arthritis have been denied.,Service connection is not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to incomplete information and the need for further examination. The AOJ will gather necessary employment history, Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits information, and a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis without medication. The claim will be returned for further evaluation and a supplemental opinion from a clinician.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the untimeliness and inapplicability of the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement with regard to a May 2016 rating decision.