Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and his scar, midline back, is rated as noncompensable. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to his remaining functional use of his feet.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with strain is granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection due to continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck condition and right knee condition, and awarded a disability rating of 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and a basilar skull fracture effective January 1, 1972.,An earlier effective date of November 9, 2023, is granted for the right hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, extension, and impairment of thigh.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and entitlement to a higher evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding effective dates and initial ratings for the Veteran's conditions, including cervical spine degenerative arthritis, PTSD, and right leg lengthening.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings of his right hip disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea, or earlier effective dates for service connection.,For his right hip disorder, a VA examination was needed to determine if it is related to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of functional loss.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left knee strain, lumbar spine disability, and right shoulder strain on a direct basis.,Service connection was granted for left knee strain, lumbar spine disability, and right shoulder strain on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disorders are related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to events in service and grants service connection for a back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. Specifically, additional medical opinions are needed regarding the severity of his back disability without medication effects, the nature and etiology of his headaches, and the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Board denied a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, left shoulder AC joint osteoarthritis, and right shoulder AC joint osteoarthritis. The disabilities are found to be related to the appellant's in-service duties as a cannon crew member.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the spine has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal prior to the decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus.,The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with DDD and spondylosis, right knee sprain with residual mild chronic tendonitis and early osteoarthritis, and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes, left shoulder degenerative changes, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and right shoulder osteoarthritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations for these conditions.