Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and insufficient nexus opinions under relevant regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, including psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain syndrome, and a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for headaches due to head injury, but remanded for further development. The back disability claim is also remanded as new evidence suggests a possible nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, patellofemoral syndrome, lumbar lordosis and rheumatoid arthritis result in functional loss of use of both feet, meeting the criteria for eligibility to receive financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine the current severity of her condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination. The issues include increased ratings for lumbar myositis, discogenic disease, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, as well as TDIU and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was incurred in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis and posttraumatic arthritis of the right ankle, as well as rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral knees and shoulders. Service connection was denied for osteoarthritis of the left ankle and wrists.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.,A separate compensable rating (10%) has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted a rating of 20 percent effective March 31, 2010. The decision is based on the severity of his symptoms as described in medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spondylosis and radiculopathy of the lower right extremity, as well as his claim for TDIU due to additional development being required.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension due to new evidence showing a possible association with herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are also remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s rheumatoid arthritis had onset during his period of active duty service, and the benefit sought was granted based on that theory.

The Board has remanded the claims for accrued benefits due to pending appeals and a potential one-year window for filing a Notice of Disagreement. The RO must adjudicate these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are granted. Service connection is denied for a dental condition, rheumatoid arthritis, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand and left hand due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the left dorsal olecranon enthesophyte of the elbow, finding that it began during active service. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and recurrent infections due to inadequate examination findings and failure to address the Veteran's arguments regarding in-service vaccinations.