Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's recurrent right shoulder degenerative changes to include chronic pain are granted as secondary to the service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis. The effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain is set at April 23, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically whether it is secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease and left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including an in-service rappelling accident.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis with instability and limited flexion, are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on additional functional loss or other factors.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis and granted a separate rating of 30 percent for patellar instability, effective from the date of the August 2023 decision.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected right ankle, knee, thumb, little finger, index finger, long finger disabilities, scars, and PTSD have been dismissed.,No new or material evidence was received within one year of the notice of decision.

The Board has found that the VA had not complied with its duty to assist and is remanding the case for a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis and thoracolumbar spine scoliosis prior to February 3, 2021 is granted at a 40 percent rating. Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to these conditions is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from working, and he has the necessary skills to transition into suitable employment without direct intervention of Chapter 31 benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, left knee disability, and hypertension, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during a period of active-duty training.

The Veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective August 11, 2013. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records from VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development due to notification deficiencies and procedural issues.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to December 1, 2010.

The Veteran's TDIU based on unspecified psychotic disorder is granted for the period from August 10, 2007 to October 14, 2021. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU beginning on October 14, 2021 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis with shin splints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including pain, began during and has continued since his active service. The evidence is at least balanced as to whether this condition arose in service.