Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's right shoulder replacement resulted in intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion, with flexion and abduction limited to 100 degrees. The claim for a higher initial rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left hip thigh impairment and limitation of flexion are being remanded due to procedural issues related to the adequacy of the June 2021 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for various actions to fulfill VA's duty to assist, including obtaining SSA disability records and private medical records. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from April 2, 2016, to November 1, 2022, due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and TDIU prior to October 4, 2022 are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be returned for further appellate review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the August 2024 VA etiology opinion, and a new opinion is needed to determine if the neck pain is caused or aggravated by service-connected temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis have been granted increased ratings, but the spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating.,The Board has remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee strain with osteoarthritis, patellofemoral chondromalacia, osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral trochlea, and status post open trochlear arthroplasty, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis due to a lack of medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The Veteran contends his current condition is related to an injury during active service, but there are conflicting medical records indicating different causes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to March 15, 2024 precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use assistive devices and his ability to independently ambulate.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional error in the June 2020 rating decision regarding the service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disability of residual temporomandibular articulation with degenerative arthritis status post multiple reconstructive surgeries of the temporal mandibular joint. The case is being remanded to obtain a new nexus opinion from an appropriately situated VA clinician that addresses whether the sleep apnea condition was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his temporomandibular joint condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, including cervicalgia and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine. The Veteran's current cervical spine condition is considered to have begun during his active military service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection has also been granted for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (claimed as residuals, neck injury) secondary to the service-connected cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's lumbar disorders, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and degenerative disc disease, are considered service-connected as they have been adequately related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, OSA, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) are all granted as secondary to his now service-connected lumbar spine disability. The bilateral foot plantar fasciitis is also granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome status post fusion. Service connection is denied for right hand arthritis.