Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the appellant's lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis prior to October 20, 2020. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent is denied.

The Board has restored the evaluations for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the procedural requirements were not followed in reducing these evaluations.

The Veteran's left wrist sprain and osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of ankylosis or other factors.

All appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals related to these issues at a hearing.

The Veteran's low back disability was restored to a 20 percent rating, and he is granted TDIU from February 23, 2020, to November 5, 2020. DEA benefits are also granted during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, due to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic joint pain and insomnia, but has remanded the claims of left hip strain, right hip strain, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for psoriatic arthritis of the bilateral ankles, knees, and lower back as there was no evidence that the conditions were caused or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, but denied SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to attempt rescheduling the Veteran's missed VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination that did not discount the beneficial effects of the Veteran's pain medications on his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for increased ratings, TDIU on an extraschedular basis, and a grant of eligibility to Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35. The Board grants these claims with the effective dates specified.

The Veteran's migraines, right shoulder bursitis, right elbow condition, bilateral knee conditions, and PFB are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his left pinky scar.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for various hand and back conditions were denied, while service connection was granted for residuals of a right hand laceration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied prior to August 31, 2023 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. His claim for service connection for tardive dyskinesia is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim from September 25, 2015 to March 15, 2017 is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for low back degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a VA peripheral nerves examination and a supplemental opinion regarding the impact of medication on his condition.