Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for COPD, bilateral shoulder conditions, Peyronie's disease, skin cancer, right heel disability, peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities, entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals of a rib fracture, and earlier effective date prior to February 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for a rib fracture residual were dismissed. The Veteran's esophageal stricture was granted with a 50% disability rating. Service connection for coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis of the right wrist, and bilateral knees was also granted.

Service connection for RA and DM is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for PN related to DM is also granted. PTSD is rated at the current level of disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's autoimmune disease, specifically rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The VA examiner was requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's autoimmune disease had its onset during or is otherwise etiologically related to active-duty service.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and vitiligo, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or any event, injury, or disease during service.,The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was found not secondary to diabetes mellitus and not otherwise related to an in-service event. The skin disability, vitiligo, was also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.,The Veteran's hypertension and atrial fibrillation with congestive heart failure are granted secondary service connection due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.,The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, right hip condition, and left hip condition do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for PTSD and a higher rating for an appendectomy scar. The claim of service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to June 5, 2017 is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring physician prescribed bed rest.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims include service connection for various arthritic conditions and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rheumatoid arthritis, a recurrent sleep disorder, and a lumbar spine disability as well as the claim for TDIU due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can tolerate sedentary or physical work environments that don't involve heavy lifting and prolonged sitting.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives and the need for a Gulf War VA examination by a rheumatologist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to determine whether he has rheumatoid arthritis due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or an herbicide agent while stationed in Vietnam.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy of the legs, including whether it is secondary to a service-connected disability or due to in-service exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune or an herbicide agent while stationed in Vietnam.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy of the legs, including whether it is secondary to a service-connected disability or due to in-service exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune or an herbicide agent while stationed in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion to clarify the Veteran's current joint disability and its etiology. The examiner is asked to consider whether any diagnosed condition is related to service or an already service-connected disability.