Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disorder is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show impairment warranting an increased disability rating, despite the Veteran reporting flare-ups and difficulty with prolonged standing or walking.

The appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disorder is dismissed as the Veteran's claim has been granted in a separate rating decision. The motor tic disorder claim remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the prior decisions.,Additional VA examinations will be scheduled to provide retrospective opinions on the severity of the Veteran's disabilities during the relevant periods.

The Veteran's IVDS with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent prior to February 17, 2020 and 40 percent beginning on that date. The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective February 17, 2020 for the period after this date. However, the claim remains pending for entitlement to an even higher initial rating prior to February 17, 2020 and for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate March 2021 VA opinion, which did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and their onset. The case is now pending for a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been granted effective June 20, 2024.,An initial noncompensable rating has been assigned for each knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically her left lower extremity radiculopathy, have resulted in the permanent loss of use of her left foot for the purposes of establishing eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. As such, she is granted this benefit.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis of the medial patellofemoral compartment as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The heart disease claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's knee, ankle, and hip strains are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The lumbar spine condition is also being remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 17, 2006 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, with generalized anxiety disorder and traumatic brain injury, as well as cervical spine degenerative arthritis. This decision is based on the addition of service treatment records that were not available at the time of the initial claim.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals related to his claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is associated with left upper extremity radiculopathy, and he has been granted a 30 percent rating for this condition. His right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 50 percent. The right anterior neck scar status post cervical fusion does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's limitations in performing activities of daily living are consistent with being unable to sustain himself in the community, warranting Tier 2 benefits under the PCAFC program.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative changes of the right sacroiliac joint, finding that symptoms have been continuous since active-duty service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to accurately assess the severity of the appellant's knee disabilities, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for adequate notice of a hearing.

The Veteran's radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left leg is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, with degenerative arthritis. The right leg radiculopathy is also granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain are related to an injury during his period of active duty for training (ADT) in 1991, and service connection is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic pain, cervical spine disability, and hypertensive disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient consideration of the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and for obtaining new examinations to address these issues.