Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's disability ratings for neck and right shoulder conditions were reduced, but the Board found these reductions improper due to lack of proper procedural steps.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been withdrawn, resulting in dismissal of these claims.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right ankle injury with residuals and granted service connection for lumbar sprain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's representative requested a copy of the claims file, but it has not been provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Service connection for CFS has not been established, and the cervical spine disability has not met criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has found multiple pre-decisional duty to assist errors and has remanded the case for further action, including obtaining Army National Guard service treatment records and making a formal finding of all periods of INACDUTRA during Army National Guard service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right ankle strain are denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle sprain, and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bursitis in the bilateral hips, degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in the right hip, degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in the bilateral wrists, or degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in the bilateral elbows. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the presumptive period, and were not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board denied service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's right knee disability was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and osteophytes of the cervical spine. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the cervical spine condition is remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left hip disabilities, are all granted service connection based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with IVDS, left lower extremity sciatic nerve, and left hip flexion strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis with IVDS.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is secondary to her service-connected lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with IVDS. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has restored a separate 20 percent rating for removal of left knee cartilage with locking, effective March 1, 2025, after finding the AOJ's decision to sever service connection was improper.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The diagnoses are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knee, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, a right shoulder condition, and intervertebral disc disorder of the spine as there is no evidence to support that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and right shoulder degenerative arthritis. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for each condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the appeal period prior to April 10, 2024 was denied as he was gainfully employed. For the appeal period beginning on April 10, 2024, a TDIU based on combined effects of service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right knee disability from April 16, 2013 to March 15, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or more.