Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and SMC at the housebound rate due to insufficient development of the record, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion from an orthopedist or podiatrist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for back disability, headaches, and sleep apnea require additional medical examination to determine their etiology. The cases are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for PFB, but has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent disabling for limitation of flexion and instability. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability, including whether it meets the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5257.

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for cervical condition and lower back condition are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative disc disease other than IVDS of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further review due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities due to insufficient examination findings, including lack of causation opinions. The AOJ will consider new evidence and provide additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and knee meniscal tear, left knee are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an earlier effective date based on the lack of a formal or informal claim prior to July 28, 2016.

The Veteran's decreased vision is not service-connected due to being a refractive error, and there are no other superimposed eye disabilities attributable to his active service.,Service connection for left knee patellofemoral osteoarthritis, right knee patellofemoral osteoarthritis, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition is remanded as the VA medical opinions were inadequate due to lack of consideration of lay statements.

The Veteran's effective dates for degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine and coccyx fracture are denied as they predate the date of receipt of claim.,The Veteran's effective dates for left hip pain disorder and right hip pain disorder are denied as they predate the date of receipt of claim.

The appeal for an effective date earlier than August 6, 2023 for service connection of various conditions is denied.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and instability of the left knee are both rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran has continued to pursue this claim prior to changes in rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis right shoulder (dominant) and cervical spine degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and right foot residuals of frostbite have been granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral flat feet (previously claimed as bilateral foot condition) and left hip osteoarthritis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left hip based on limitation of flexion, extension, and adduction have been granted effective February 9, 2024.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that new and relevant evidence has been received to reconsider the issue. The Veteran's current lumbar spine conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence in favor of a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various hip and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his conditions, as well as a potential procedural error in the previous examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative lumbar arthritis and injuries to his lower extremities, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities such that he is unable to effectively ambulate independently without assistive devices. This meets the criteria for specially adapted housing eligibility.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).