Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination, as well as a formal TDIU application.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and review of his claims for a gastric ulcer, joint pain (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), and sarcoidosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's connective tissue disease, including pain. The Veteran needs further examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS of the cervical spine is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under the general formula for diseases and injuries of the spine.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and rheumatoid arthritis did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 10, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete examinations and conflicting opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The appeals for service connection for a left shoulder disability and temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for convalescence following left shoulder rotator cuff repair surgery were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ED, RA, sinusitis, fibromyalgia, IBS, a skin disorder of the face, and bicep disabilities. The exposure basis is attributed to Gulf War service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and cervical neck lordosis condition, vertigo, irritable bowel syndrome, and migraine headaches as secondary to her service-connected disability of nonspecific musculoligamentous strain, lumbar spine. The remanded issues include determining whether these conditions are aggravated by her service-connected disabilities or if they have a direct relationship with her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for penis deformity, loss of erectile power, and benign prostatic hypertrophy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for BPH is being remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The application to reopen the claim for hypertension as due to herbicide exposure is denied. The claims for service connection for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and sleep apnea are both found to have had their onset during his active service, leading to the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and disability resulting in back pain as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an injury or disease incurred during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, finding that there is no competent evidence showing he has rheumatoid arthritis or any other type of bilateral hip disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service motorcycle accidents, but there is no medical evidence of a diagnosis or etiology for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as related to service. The Board also found that the Veteran has other conditions like sinusitis, pituitary gland condition, joint pain, elbow and knee conditions, and GERD which are presumed to be due to his service in Saudi Arabia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right lung cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA examinations and a review of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip disabilities, lower extremity radiculopathy, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus. The Veteran is not entitled to TDIU at this time as more current evidence is needed.