{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/degenerative-arthritis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:13.261Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Degenerative arthritis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":3125,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":28.2,"denied_pct":50.5,"remanded_pct":23.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":35.8,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":156,"granted_pct":19.2,"denied_pct":59,"remanded_pct":16.7},{"year":2018,"issues":180,"granted_pct":23.9,"denied_pct":58.9,"remanded_pct":12.8},{"year":2019,"issues":236,"granted_pct":26.3,"denied_pct":53.8,"remanded_pct":18.6},{"year":2020,"issues":434,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":58.3,"remanded_pct":20},{"year":2021,"issues":573,"granted_pct":23.9,"denied_pct":58.1,"remanded_pct":17.1},{"year":2022,"issues":481,"granted_pct":23.9,"denied_pct":46.6,"remanded_pct":28.3},{"year":2023,"issues":497,"granted_pct":26.4,"denied_pct":43.1,"remanded_pct":29.4},{"year":2024,"issues":486,"granted_pct":23.9,"denied_pct":48.4,"remanded_pct":26.1},{"year":2025,"issues":492,"granted_pct":33.5,"denied_pct":41.5,"remanded_pct":24.4},{"year":2026,"issues":177,"granted_pct":38.4,"denied_pct":34.5,"remanded_pct":26}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":69.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":446,"granted_pct_with":51.4,"granted_pct_without":32.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":2699,"granted_pct_with":34.5,"granted_pct_without":45.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":441,"granted_pct_with":72.6,"granted_pct_without":29.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1566,"granted_pct_with":38.7,"granted_pct_without":33.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1089,"granted_pct_with":44.7,"granted_pct_without":30.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":218,"granted_pct_with":48.7,"granted_pct_without":34.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":2846,"granted_pct_with":35.4,"granted_pct_without":39.9},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":110,"granted_pct_with":52.3,"granted_pct_without":35.2},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":157,"granted_pct_with":47,"granted_pct_without":35.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":86},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":62},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":12},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":9},{"reason":"new and material evidence received to reopen claim","decisions":6},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":6}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":158},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":131},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":103},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":70},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":42},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":40}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040494","year":2026,"judge":"K.A. KENNERLY","rationale":"In-service neck injuries from vehicle crash on ADT; Chronic wear and tear from service; Favorable VA medical opinion linking to service"},{"case_id":"26005110","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS L. ENGLISH","rationale":"Incurred during service; Reasonably encompassed by claim; Resolved reasonable doubt in favor"},{"case_id":"A26040607","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Competent and credible lay statements regarding history and continuity; Negative VA nexus opinions based solely on lack of treatment records found inadequate; Benefit of the doubt applied due to approximate balance of evidence"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040998","year":2026,"judge":"A. C. MACKENZIE","rationale":"Service treatment records negative for back condition; Post-service records show degenerative changes, not linked to service; Lay testimony found conclusory and insufficient for nexus"},{"case_id":"A26040074","year":2026,"judge":"NEELY M. PEDEN","rationale":"10% rating appropriate for moderate disability.; Pain and difficulty with weight-bearing noted.; Does not meet criteria for higher ratings.; Right foot degenerative arthritis rated under DC 5284."},{"case_id":"A26039807","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"Veteran's account of June 1967 combat injury rebutted by clear and convincing evidence.; Contemporaneous treatment record noted no history of previous injury and inconsistent medication.; Credibility issues and inconsistencies in post-service injury reports and continuity of symptoms."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}