Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, and bilateral hand pain. The conditions are found to be related to military service due to aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, a right elbow joint disorder, and a right hand and finger disorder. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.,The Board found no current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis or any related disorders in the Veteran's case.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, including rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there is no current evidence of such a condition and thus denying presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for severely damaged feet, chronic lumbar pain, and arthritis have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or were otherwise related to service.,There is no presumption-based service connection applicable in this case.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle and low back disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 12, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding direct service connection for an arthritic condition, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's testimony about joint pain shortly after service and exposure to bacterial infections is not adequately addressed in the current medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy associated with her service-connected disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her conditions. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of hands, arms, knees, shoulders, and back, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that he had these conditions during or due to his time in service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 14, 2010 to October 31, 2011.,The Veteran's claim for an extension of the temporary total disability rating due to surgery necessitating convalescence is remanded.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's RA. The appeals for PTSD, RA, DM, SAH, and SHA are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a bilateral eye disability, to include dry eye syndrome due to incomplete medical records. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other two issues.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis has caused painful motion in both knees, leading to separate compensable ratings. Additionally, the Board granted SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his condition.

The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure is denied as there is no evidence of current respiratory disability.,Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, with the condition being presumed under the provisions of the PACT Act (Patient Care and Treatment Act).,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) are remanded as they may be related to service. The claim for alcohol dependence secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.,Service connection is remanded for rheumatoid arthritis, with the issue being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding its onset during active duty or post-service.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder claim is remanded as it may be related to service.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's right foot disability claim is denied as it occurred during his dishonorable period and not related to service.

The Veteran's left and right hand rheumatoid arthritis with osteopenia have been granted a 10% rating, but not higher, prior to August 16, 2019. The Veteran's right hand disability has also been granted a 10% rating, but not higher, from August 16, 2019.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board denied service connection for left hip rheumatoid arthritis, right hip rheumatoid arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands, wrist, and feet as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and osteoporosis due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's knee and right hand disabilities due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations for his bilateral knee conditions and right hand condition.