Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The appeal seeking revision of the March 1999 rating decision that denied entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a right shoulder disability is denied. The March 1999 rating decision, which awarded an initial noncompensable (zero percent) rating for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, is revised to reflect an award of an initial rating of 10 percent for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 50 percent, effective September 18, 2023. The earlier effective date for service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip degenerative arthritis as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability (degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease) as it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective dates of the awards are August 14, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment since June 11, 2019. Effective dates of June 11, 2019 for TDIU and DEA are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for effective dates prior to November 6, 2018, for grants of service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's evaluations for left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral degenerative arthritis of the spine have been restored to their previous levels effective October 18, 2024. The appeal regarding service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, and left hip disorders based on the Veteran's active duty service. The conditions are considered to be directly related to his military duties.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 23, 2013. The Board has granted a determination of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) with an effective date of January 23, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal stenosis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service injury and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right hip, back, and bilateral neurologic disabilities of the lower extremities as they are not related to active service. The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment due to his back and knee conditions, which limit his ability to stand, walk, lift, bend, and carry.

The Board has decided to remand both the neck disorder and left foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis claims due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorders due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's left knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, effective May 10, 2019.,An earlier effective date of May 25, 2018 for the award of service connection for his left knee condition has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will consider evidence submitted after the December 2019 AOJ decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable ratings are being remanded due to procedural errors in the decision-making process.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The Board has also remanded the cases for increased rating examinations.