Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional military personnel records. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is being reviewed again as it may be related to service in the Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received since his last VA examination, and because some issues have not been addressed in detail.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis of both wrists, due to a lack of medical nexus opinion regarding his current disabilities. The case is also remanded to obtain private treatment records from CentreCare Clinic.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including shoulder conditions, PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disease from asbestos exposure, and low back joint and disc disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for arthritis, chronic lumbar pain, severely damaged feet, and a psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with radiculopathy and TDIU. The specific issues are related to right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis rheumatoid (atrophic), left shoulder, was previously denied in August 1985 and February 1995. New evidence has been submitted that supports the existence of a current disability, but further examination is needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left shoulder septic arthritis due to a VA procedure, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis renders him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, prepare meals, use hearing aids, drive safely, and leave unassisted without safety issues. Special monthly compensation is granted based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues on appeal due to a lack of current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran's claims for emphysema, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and arthritis are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a left leg brace and skin cancer of the ears, but granted service connection for left leg deep vein thromboses as part of his service-connected peripheral arterial/vascular disease. The claims for rheumatoid arthritis and left leg neurological disability (drop foot) are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the feet, toes, wrists, and knees and diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The new evidence received since the last final denial supports a finding of service connection for right knee, left knee, radiculopathy of the lower left extremity, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, numbness in the hands and feet, and a breathing and throat condition to obtain missing service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for Bechet's disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for osteopenia and rheumatoid arthritis of the left hand, right hand with osteoarthritis of the thumb, and lumbosacral strain. The decision is subject to the provisions governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, and increased rating for a painful cesarean scar were dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawals of her appeals. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a painful cesarean scar was also dismissed.,The claim for service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) with degenerative wear was reopened and granted, while the claim for OSA was granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.