Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis with instability and left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis and instability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a left knee disability claimed as secondary to a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is entitled to VA examinations to determine if his claimed disabilities are related to his service.

All appeals concerning service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the invalidity of the initial Notice of Disagreement submitted by the Veteran's surviving spouse before substitution was approved.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee painful extension, low back disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, left foot hallux valgus, right calcaneal spur, and degenerative arthritis of both feet was dismissed due to a claims processing error. The claim had already been granted with a combined disability rating of 30 percent in December 2024.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during active duty or being related to an in-service injury. The claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded as there are issues with the evidence provided.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee disabilities, as well as limited flexion and extension issues, were granted with effective dates of December 15, 2019.

The Veteran's BPPV is granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,A 30 percent rating for left wrist limitation of motion is granted, with a change in the diagnostic code from 5215 to 5214.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The spondylolisthesis with degenerative arthritis is granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful extension and denied any higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and insufficient medical nexus opinions. The Veteran's lower back disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide notice of the right to a hearing on the issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a right knee condition.

The Board has restored a 20% rating for the Veteran's low back condition, effective September 24, 2024. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lower back condition preexisted service and if so, whether it was aggravated by military service. The claim will be returned for new medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service or that current back disabilities have a nexus to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board denied an increased rating as his flexion and extension were within the range that would warrant a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing and an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate has been denied. The Veteran does not meet the specific legal criteria required to establish eligibility for these benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records prior to the July 2020 rating decision.