Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, cervical strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to her now service-connected back disability. The decision is based on credible statements of the Veteran regarding continuous symptoms since service and medical opinions supporting a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, right patella disability, and right knee disability are granted as service-connected due to their onset in service and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip strain, right sciatic radiculopathy, lumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, and left hip strain as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis, and related conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and tension headaches have been dismissed due to a withdrawal request.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability as secondary to his right knee degenerative arthritis and right ankle sprain, finding that there was no medical relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is currently receiving a combined rating of 100% for his service-connected disabilities, including left and right hip disabilities and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable rating for post traumatic tooth decay and a higher rating for left leg disability, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis from April 29, 2024. The effective date remains September 12, 2019.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on his inability to perform activities of daily living and need for supervision or protection due to symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment. The VA will now evaluate whether participation in the PCAFC program is in the Veteran's best interest.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left lower extremity disorder, right lower extremity disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all granted as service connected. The effective date for the grant of service connection is November 19, 2019.

The Veteran's right ankle disability prior to March 24, 2021, was rated at 10 percent and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding service connection for his bilateral knees and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis, finding that new and relevant evidence supports this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the decision-making process, including a failure to consider whether the Veteran's skin conditions (blisters and warts) created functional impairment of his right foot. The claim is being returned for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder, stimulant use disorder) have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for limitation of extension with degenerative arthritis of the left knee is denied. The Board finds that the earliest date entitlement arose was March 15, 2023.

The Veteran's SMC on account of being housebound is granted as of August 26, 2019. The decision is based on his service-connected disabilities and the requirement for a single disability rated at 100% disabling.