Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is at least as likely as not related to an in-service back injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right foot, big toe degenerative arthritis claim is being remanded for further review due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will seek an addendum VA medical opinion to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right and left knee disorders was granted with an effective date of August 7, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied, while his cervical degenerative arthritis and lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 2, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show that he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of a link to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left leg restless leg syndrome, as well as service connection for other conditions, were denied. The Board found that the current manifestations of these disabilities did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's left knee scars are granted a separate rating, and the right foot disability is granted increased ratings with specific periods of temporary total ratings. The effective date for service connection for certain disabilities is also established.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, right ankle tendinopathy, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, low energy, exhaustion, migrating joint pain, memory loss and tension headaches, as well as right and left knee osteoarthritis, are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for her back disability is denied as there is no evidence of increased severity prior to the May 9, 2024 effective date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis is granted.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions provided prior to the August 2020 rating decision. The AOJ must obtain updated medical opinions addressing the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hallux limitus, left foot post cheilectomy first metatarsophalangeal joint claimed as left foot, big toe degenerative arthritis and left foot, big toe disability. The evidence shows the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that a current disability is related to an in-service injury and that there is no evidence of chronicity of care. The Veteran's private physicians provided opinions supporting this conclusion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and migraine headaches have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuralgia peripheral nerves sciatic right, left, and vertigo are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, right hip, and a compensable rating for loss of flexion in the same condition were both denied by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's right knee instability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis and joint instability, as well as bilateral foot disabilities including metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial insertional tendonitis, peroneus brevis insertional tendonitis, and calcaneal spur. The conditions are deemed to have begun in service.