Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's SSD is granted, and his back disability and left knee disability are both rated at 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, finding that the Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on the lumbar spine, RLE radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and hypertension has been dismissed. The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, bipartite patella, chondrocalcinosis, and a small effusion; and left knee strain with tiny effusion and calcification. The decision is based on direct evidence of in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to left knee degenerative arthritis, including instability and limitations in flexion and extension. The Veteran's conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of previous VA opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right shoulder disability and service. The issues are now being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty to assist and potential inadequacies in the examination provided. The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected low back disability is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service, specifically as a parachutist. The claim will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted, but his right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee strain do not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder hydroxyapatite deposition with degenerative arthritis and left knee rheumatoid arthritis, finding that these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and right knee disabilities, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and right shoulder conditions, finding that the current disabilities are causally related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's knee conditions were caused or aggravated by her military service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for restored ratings of left and right knee degenerative arthritis, so the cases are dismissed.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and joint osteoarthritis to 20 percent effective July 1, 2020. The evidence showed that the Veteran's conditions had not improved but continued to cause functional impairment.

The Veteran's limitation of flexion of left thigh with osteoarthritis disability was reduced from 30 percent to zero percent effective April 1, 2025. The Board has restored the rating to 30 percent based on evidence showing that his condition continued to worsen.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of effective dates and ratings related to lumbar spine strain, Dupuytren's contracture in the left hand with ankylosis, and Dupuytren's contracture in the right hand with osteoarthritis. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been found to have aggravated his pre-existing osteoarthritis of the hips, shoulders, ankles, and hands.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, either alone or in combination, did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and experience for the appeal period prior to May 4, 2015.