Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and a duty to assist error, requiring additional examinations and opinions on his back disability and left lower extremity nerve condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and a duty to assist error, requiring additional examinations and opinions on his back disability and left lower extremity nerve condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis and total hip arthroplasty are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back condition, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current disability and his in-service lifting of artillery rounds. The evidence did not establish a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral flat feet.

Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted.,The appeal for service connection for psoriasis (recurrent skin disability) and shell fragment wound residuals (recurrent leg disability) has been dismissed.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement residuals, strain residuals, and osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 2, 2025 has also been granted. However, a higher rating is denied on and after that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative disc disease, as well as secondary service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, are granted. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 50% disability rating for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis and recurrent left foot Morton's neuroma with degenerative arthritis due to lack of evidence showing marked deformity or pronation in the feet prior to November 23, 2020.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves), cervical strain, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been restored. Effective April 2, 2023, the Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's bilateral knee braces used for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities caused wear and tear to his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and service connection was denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not characterized by ankylosis, and there is no evidence of bilateral radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left ankle strain is rated at 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis is rated at 10 percent due to three or less non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are rated at 30 percent, as they meet the criteria for severe bilateral flatfoot with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.).,The Veteran's right hip strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to normal range of motion.,The Veteran's left knee painful scar and anterior patella scar status post meniscus/ACL repair do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are both rated at 10 percent (compensable).,The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal repair does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to flexion to no less than 100 degrees, locking, and pain.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and individual unemployability are remanded due to the failure to appear at scheduled examinations. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it may impact the analysis of whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity have been granted at a 30 percent rating from July 10, 2020 to November 19, 2020.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was restored to a 40 percent rating, and he received separate ratings for his right lower extremity radiculopathy. The higher ratings were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and surgical interventions, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability have all been denied. The Board found no current or past medical evidence supporting the presence of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as evidenced by his part-time employment during the appeals period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee status post total knee replacement, left total knee arthroplasty, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.