Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded two cases: one for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative change of the left knee and another for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the left hip. The reasons are that the most recent VA examinations did not fully address reports of flare-ups and their resulting additional functional impairment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for consideration of whether entitlement to an extra-schedular TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the Veteran’s claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; an initial higher (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss; and entitlement to a TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is sufficient to grant special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the feet, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and a respiratory disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's private treatment records are also incomplete, and additional requests for these records must be made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating increase and service connection due to new evidence of worsening left knee condition and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his autoimmune disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain and nerve damage, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to request any available medical records from the Ohio National Guard.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left hand polyarthritis, right hand polyarthritis, left foot rheumatoid arthritis (due to Agent Orange exposure), and right foot rheumatoid arthritis (due to Agent Orange exposure) have been denied. The Board found that the disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions did not manifest in or are otherwise attributable to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis. The VA examiner found that these conditions are less likely than not related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases of erectile dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their relationship to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The issues include service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, radiculopathy, onychomycosis of the toenails, and a skin disorder (claimed as peeling skin on fingers).

The Board has remanded cases involving service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the left and right lower extremities, as well as increased ratings for peripheral artery disease. The Veteran was not notified of a scheduled VA examination, which is necessary to determine if any rheumatoid arthritis could have been misdiagnosed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including reopening of claims for pulmonary embolism and fainting spells, systemic lupus and arthritis, bilateral foot disability, respiratory disability, lumbar spine disability, and rheumatoid arthritis. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from the Veteran’s Naval Reserve service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and rheumatoid arthritis are being remanded for further evaluation as the current medical opinions are inadequate.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a bilateral knee disability. The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability was reopened, but remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issue of radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, pulmonary fibrosis, and Raynaud's disease due to environmental exposure are being remanded. The Board requests verification of in-service TCE exposure and will schedule an examination to determine if these conditions are related to that exposure.