{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/osteoarthritis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:00.879Z","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":"Osteoarthritis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":11261,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":19.5,"denied_pct":34.6,"remanded_pct":45.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":36.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":941,"granted_pct":14.8,"denied_pct":36.5,"remanded_pct":43.4},{"year":2018,"issues":1288,"granted_pct":14.5,"denied_pct":39.1,"remanded_pct":44.3},{"year":2019,"issues":1630,"granted_pct":13.9,"denied_pct":36.5,"remanded_pct":48.1},{"year":2020,"issues":1950,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":37.2,"remanded_pct":44.5},{"year":2021,"issues":1911,"granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":37.5,"remanded_pct":44.2},{"year":2022,"issues":1706,"granted_pct":21.1,"denied_pct":27.5,"remanded_pct":50.2},{"year":2023,"issues":1750,"granted_pct":20.9,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":49.4},{"year":2024,"issues":1748,"granted_pct":24.9,"denied_pct":28.1,"remanded_pct":45.5},{"year":2025,"issues":1530,"granted_pct":23.5,"denied_pct":29.4,"remanded_pct":44.9},{"year":2026,"issues":556,"granted_pct":29.3,"denied_pct":28.6,"remanded_pct":41.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":74.3,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":1211,"granted_pct_with":59.4,"granted_pct_without":31.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":8192,"granted_pct_with":34.8,"granted_pct_without":41.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":1550,"granted_pct_with":74.6,"granted_pct_without":26.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":5053,"granted_pct_with":39.8,"granted_pct_without":32},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":3141,"granted_pct_with":48.7,"granted_pct_without":29.3},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":557,"granted_pct_with":62,"granted_pct_without":34.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":9064,"granted_pct_with":35.7,"granted_pct_without":39.3},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":287,"granted_pct_with":51.5,"granted_pct_without":35.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":464,"granted_pct_with":49.3,"granted_pct_without":35.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":377},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":161},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":82},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":44},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":41},{"reason":"evidence evenly balanced","decisions":19}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":432},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":406},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":371},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":247},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":198},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":152}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005102","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"Veteran reported in-service injury and treatment for left knee; STRs unavailable, despite multiple attempts to locate; Inadequate VA examiner opinions that did not consider lay statements or provide adequate rationales"},{"case_id":"A26039253","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Preexisting condition noted at entry, rebutting presumption of soundness.; In-service findings and Veteran's credible reports indicate worsening beyond natural progression.; Conflicting VA medical opinions and MEB conclusion are less persuasive than Veteran's account and treating provider's opinion.… [truncated, 70 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26039480","year":2026,"judge":"E. I. VELEZ","rationale":"Veteran reported in-service injury from parachute landing; Lay testimony found credible and given significant weight; VA examinations deemed inadequate for failing to address nexus; Private opinion qualified and used incorrect legal standard; Benefit of the doubt applied due to approximate balance o… [truncated, 10 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040469","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN R. DOOLITTLE, II","rationale":"Denied rating exceeding 10 percent.; No evidence of ankylosis, dislocation, or removal of semilunar cartilage.; No evidence of instability requiring brace/assistive device."},{"case_id":"A26040852","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of skeletal arthritis; No objective evidence of functional impairment; No in-service complaints"},{"case_id":"A26040890","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID H. ROBERTSON","rationale":"No in-service complaints, diagnosis, or treatment for right knee disability.; Right knee injury occurred post-service (flag football in 2009).; VA examiners opined less likely than not related to service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}