Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal regarding both the increase in rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and the reduction in rating is dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, ankles, and toes is granted service connection. The Veteran's Alzheimer's disease and cervical spine DDD are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of the hips, legs, and knees was granted. The issues of service connection for other joints were also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis affecting multiple bilateral joints and a rheumatoid lung condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran opting-in to the modernized appeal system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fracture of left mandible, postoperative.

Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed.,An effective date prior to February 9, 2018, for service connection of depressive disorder is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 9, 2018, is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service or within the presumptive period. The left ear hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is remanded for further review due to conflicting information regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome with xerostomia, but has remanded the issue of service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the appellant's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, specifically addressing both theories raised by the Appellant.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, which may be related to his service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches prior to August 4, 2021 was denied.,The Veteran's increased rating for headaches since August 4, 2021 was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his mobility issues are compensated by the assigned ratings for his disabilities.

The Veteran's autoimmune disorders, including Sjgren's disease, Raynaud's syndrome, scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and anemia, are found to have begun during her service. Her esophageal motility disorder is also found to be related to her service-connected autoimmune disorders.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, left foot numbness, right foot numbness, chronic fatigue, back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, and skin lesions remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and insomnia due to insufficient evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals.,The Board has also remanded several issues, including an evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, a compensable evaluation for left testicular varicocele with right testicular pain and tenderness, an evaluation for restless leg syndrome, and service connection for a traumatic brain injury.

Entitlement to TDIU is granted from September 10, to November 20, 2012, and as of July 3, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment during these periods.,TDIU was denied prior to August 31, 2011, due to the Veteran's full-time employment at that time.

The Veteran's kidney disability is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension, but his rheumatoid arthritis is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to military service.