Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, hiatal hernia, and bilateral plantar warts were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (femoral) has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis and spinal stenosis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding potential service connection based on in-service exposure to asbestos and herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for motor skill and balance condition and rheumatoid arthritis, finding no current disability or diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, a distended or weakened bladder, cytomegalovirus, hypothyroidism, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU and did not render him unemployable to warrant consideration of entitlement to this benefit alternatively on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 18, 2010.

Service connection is granted for rheumatoid arthritis of the joints.,Service connection is granted for early onset peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is granted for DDD of the cervical spine.,The claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is remanded.,The claims for service connection for neurological disorders of the right and left upper extremities are remanded.,The claims for service connection for difficulty breathing and extreme tiredness are remanded.,,

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, including a need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent. The claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records.

Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is granted. Service connection for ankylosing spondylitis is remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted service connection. The remaining issues (psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, right eye disorder, and left eye disorder) are remanded for further evaluation.

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

The Board has denied service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, a disability claimed as rheumatoid arthritis and/or tendonitis, prostate cancer, and an eye disorder (claimed as wearing glasses). The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to May 31, 2016 due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is presumed via PACT Act.

The Veteran's reduction in the rating for his service-connected IVDS from 40 percent to 20 percent was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for his service-connected IVDS with exception of temporary total ratings assigned between May 22, 2015 and July 1, 2015, is denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints due to additional evidence obtained by VA, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including an examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance or is housebound based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral eyes disorder, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis of the entire system.,Service connection was not granted for these conditions as there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease that could be linked to the current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension (HTN), and hypothyroidism were dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. Other claims are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including low back strain with degenerative joint disease. The TDIU will be granted but without an effective date.