Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to untimely filings. The Board has also remanded several issues related to her left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, diagnosed as meniscal tears with knee joint osteoarthritis and instability, secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection have been denied due to lack of factual evidence showing an increase in severity or onset prior to the specified dates.,Service connection has not been established for cervical spine bone spurs and degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, and erectile dysfunction.

The reduction in the disability rating for service-connected right elbow degenerative arthritis from 40% to 10% beginning July 1, 2020, was not proper and has been restored.

The Veteran's heart disability is denied as there is no current evidence of a heart condition.,The Veteran's left and right hip disabilities are denied as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC), Left Wrist Degenerative Arthritis, and Bilateral Hearing Loss are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease with left convex scoliosis, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were rated at various levels prior to September 1, 2024. The ratings for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with limitation of flexion and left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis with limitation of extension were reduced from their previous levels effective September 1, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for lower back disability and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the severity of his conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that there were procedural errors in the service connection decisions for stroke and right knee condition, specifically regarding the need for medical opinions on exposure to toxic substances. The claims are being remanded to obtain these necessary opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, and DDD including as secondary to his service-connected pes planus. The decision is based on a finding that the Veteran's current back disability is 'but-for' caused by his service-connected foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, neck strain, and right knee arthritis. The claim for residuals of heat stroke is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right ankle disability is being remanded. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU based solely on the right ankle disability are met, and this claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity and nature of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his principal cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of extension, and left knee limitations were denied. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for right knee instability and left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for right knee osteoarthritis and right knee scar due to procedural issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.