Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate development in previous examinations. The issues include rheumatoid arthritis, right ankle osteoarthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 15, 2010 for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied.,PTSD with alcohol abuse has been granted with a 70% rating.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The lung condition and arthritis are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to confirm the Veteran's employment history and determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the etiology of both conditions is inconclusive.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions. The specific issues include diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis of the sacroiliac joint, diverticulitis, rheumatoid arthritis, storage mite syndrome, hypertension, and bilateral shoulder strain.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the election of payment of VA compensation benefits in lieu of military retired pay is denied. The effective date was assigned as March 24, 2017 (payable from April 1, 2017).

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The claim of service connection for anxiety, to include as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to non-compliance with previous directives and the Veteran's incarceration at a correctional facility. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations for the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities, tailored to his confinement.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death. The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and conflicting evidence. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension, as it relates to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 6, 2011, for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis in his bilateral wrist, hand, ankle, elbow, and shoulder. The decision is based on the fact that the claim was not filed until July 6, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the upper left extremity as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and Raynaud’s symptoms due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection and a 20 percent disability rating. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied, as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. Ratings for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (status post-surgery) are increased to 30 percent effective October 7, 2019, and for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome (status post-surgery) are increased to 40 percent effective October 7, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, a back disability, and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed as withdrawn from the Legacy appeals system due to her election into the AMA review system.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral ankles, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability. The decision is based on a relative equipoise in the evidence regarding whether the current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is due to silicone implants surgically inserted during treatment for his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, hands, and feet. The radiculopathy of both lower extremities is also service connected as secondary to the service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. Service connection was denied for rheumatoid arthritis and a respiratory disorder (COPD and asthma).

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, high blood pressure, PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathy of the toes, and mini strokes are being remanded due to inadequate notification of his scheduled DRO hearing.