Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and right knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.,Both the left and right knee disabilities have been diagnosed as osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, and/or knee pain.

The Board found that the evidence did not show an actual improvement in the Veteran's conditions, and thus denied the reduction requests for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is continuity of symptomatology from his in-service injury to his current diagnosis. The appeal was also reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis is related to her military service.,The Veteran's OSA was caused by her service-connected anxiety with depressive features and panic disorder (previously rated as panic disorder, agoraphobia with somatic symptoms disorder).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, finding that the current condition is at least as likely as not related to the service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is due to her service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee dislocated semi-lunar cartilage is denied as he has the maximum allowed rating. The claims for higher ratings of his right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis was denied because he failed to report to a VA examination, and there is no evidence of an increase in his disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective May 5, 2021.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his back disability from 40% to 20%, effective December 1, 2025, as the reduction was improper and void ab initio.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that it is secondary to her service-connected left knee disability. The evidence shows that the Veteran injured both knees in 1999 and continued to experience pain despite treatment.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is found to have originated in service and continues today, warranting service connection.,The Veteran's left ankle disorder was first noted during active duty and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and right ankle osteoarthritis, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination. The issues include right foot osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, thoracic spondylosis and lumbosacral region disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to determine the severity of the Veteran's back disability and provide range of motion results for active and passive motion in weight bearing and nonweight-bearing conditions. The effective date for service connection remains October 10, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and determined the effective date to be February 23, 1982. The decision is based on new evidence received after the initial denial of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disability. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted an initial 40 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximated ankylosis in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time.

The Board has determined that the VA's failure to obtain an adequate medical opinion constituted a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and thus remanded for further action.