Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand osteoarthritis is granted. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis in the upper extremities (specifically wrists) is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 22, 2015 and from September 1, 2015 to February 16, 2017 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various conditions as the appellant, through her authorized representative, withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA examination and requires additional information regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands and fingers, left foot, bilateral wrists, and right elbow as it found no evidence to support a nexus between the condition and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the original decision was clearly erroneous due to insufficient evidence showing permanent aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition to include lumbar spondylosis has been granted. The claims for secondary service connection of rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and ankles have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during or shortly after active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and rheumatoid arthritis due to potential exposure to herbicides during service. The Veteran's MGUS is being evaluated in light of recent research on Agent Orange exposure and its relation to MGUS.

The appeal for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, as secondary to COPD, has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Veteran's radiculopathy/neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis. The issues of a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities results in actual loss of use, allowing them to be eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his rheumatoid arthritis, which was incurred during active duty service, contributed to his death. The Board also found no evidence supporting a secondary service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, respiratory disability (asthma and COPD), back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, headache disability, polymyalgia rheumatica, rheumatoid arthritis, and voiding dysfunction are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development regarding service connection for a disability of the right hand and fingers, including consideration of cold exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 30, 2011. The Board denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and bilateral eye condition due to potential exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claims are being reviewed again with a focus on obtaining medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension. The appeals are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary and remands the case to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete, and efforts must be made to obtain them.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient service treatment records and missing Reserve and National Guard service documents. The Veteran's arthritis is being reviewed for its onset, aggravation, or relation to in-service injuries.