Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2021

The Board has found that a remand of the claim is necessary due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a bilateral leg disorder. The claims will be considered based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities substantially impairing his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disorder (scar tissue of the lungs), and low back disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are now pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected conditions, including back disorder, knee disorders, CAD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities secondary to a cervical spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is now returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach disability, rheumatoid arthritis, loss of teeth and gum disease, and residuals of cataract with pseudophakia are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential in-service radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis involving hands, wrists, knees, ankles, and pulmonary nodules was not received until April 13, 2010. The effective date of the award is therefore set to April 13, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting findings in the July 2021 VA examination.

The Board has ordered a remand to secure an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis and whether it clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and lack of relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, including whether it had its onset during or within one year of service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as 10 percent prior to April 7, 2021 and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated as 10 percent. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for this condition.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 22, 2013 to August 2, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 5, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied.,The Veteran's claim for entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied due to the lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for osteoarthritis and hysterectomy due to insufficient evidence. The claim for TDIU prior to October 21, 2008 is also being returned for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal for the evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder due to lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal. Service connection and evaluations were granted or denied for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's autoimmune diseases, specifically rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for his radiculopathy of the femoral nerves and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, and remanded the issues related to gout, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the ankles, feet, right hand, and right wrist. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for arthritis of the right hand, including rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis due to insufficient examination findings in the prior decision.