Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss, upper back, lower back, acid reflux (GERD), respiratory disability, and hemorrhoids were denied service connection. Service connection for the disabilities of the upper and lower extremities was also denied.

The Veteran's epididymitis with hydrocele has been granted a noncompensable rating.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied and final claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of the bilateral upper extremities, as well as his claim for diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his unspecified mood disorder and a TDIU rating was granted. The Veteran now has a combined disability rating of 73 percent, with the mood disorder rated at 50 percent. His DDD is rated at 40 percent, and his radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the condition did not manifest during service and was not caused by exposure to Agent Orange or non-hodgkin's lymphoma. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis of the left and right feet and ankles are denied, but she is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was caused by the flu shot administered in December 2012, and if so, whether it was due to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were granted increased ratings, with a 40% rating for each condition from April 7, 2015 to November 18, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is related to her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, allergy disability, and asthma due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient VA examination opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and needs further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease (IVDS), sciatica (right and left legs), and a scar on her right lumbar region, preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU for the periods specified.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the compensable disability rating for rheumatoid arthritis as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for left knee arthroplasty from February 1, 2017. The issues of service connection for an autoimmune disorder and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral wrists. The examiner is asked to provide detailed information about range of motion tests and any additional functional loss due to pain during flare-ups or with repeated use over time.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and left foot disability. The claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder began in service and continues to persist. The Board has granted service connection for this condition. Other skin, diabetes, eye, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bone loss, tinnitus, kidney, gallbladder, appendix tumor, rectal bleeding, headache, right leg nerve damage, left leg disability, sinusitis, and multi-site arthritis disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of bilateral hands, including as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and as due to exposure to herbicide agents including Agent Orange.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's condition resulted from in-service injury or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on the rheumatic disabilities present during the appeal period and their relationship to service. The Veteran's statements, including his testimony from a July 2016 hearing, are considered in forming the medical opinion.