Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of personal care services and supervision. The decision will be remanded to allow for further review by VA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected right knee strain and degenerative arthritis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the AOJ not requesting the Railroad Retirement Board's disability claims file, which could have provided important information about his employment status prior to November 1, 2024.

The January 17, 2013 rating decision denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that while the Veteran could not return to his previous employment as a plumber, he was capable of sedentary employment and therefore had not established clear and unmistakable error in denying his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability with IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's left knee disability. A VA examination is required to determine if the condition began during service or is otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right foot conditions, back condition, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain. These conditions are considered to be directly related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorders. The VA examiner is requested to consider the Veteran's reports and provide an opinion on whether his current conditions are related to his in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis, IVDS with spinal stenosis prior to June 30, 2020. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine this.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of his service-connected left knee, right ankle, and migraine headache disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical spine disability, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as the effective dates for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, neck scars, degenerative arthritis of the neck, and upper extremity radiculopathy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from October 8, 2019.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated based on limitation of motion, with the right knee receiving separate ratings for flexion and extension issues. The left knee is rated solely for loss of extension.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected GERD. The claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between service, specifically jump events during service, and current right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate, and thus remands the case for further development to obtain new medical opinions regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disability.