Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an administrative error in submitting a modernized review system form instead of a legacy one. The Veteran must file a timely VA Form 9 if he wishes to continue his appeal.

A rating of 30 percent for the entire appeal period prior to May 5, 2021 for cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD) with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and stenosis is granted.,A separate rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity (LUE) prior to September 21, 2021 is granted.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as there is no current diagnosis of the condition in the record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if any arthritic condition, including sarcoid arthropathy and rheumatoid arthritis, is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (including depression and anxiety). The decision found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left foot hallux rigidus. The remaining issues have been remanded, including service connection for bilateral hand, ankle, hip, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sciatica of the left leg and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Mid-Columbia Medical Center and Workers Compensation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical DDD/DJD and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity associated with cervical DDD and DJD due to service, as well as any aggravation by his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as his claim for increased ratings. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, right and left knee disabilities, hypertension, otitis media of the right ear, and onychomycosis of both feet. A mental disorders examination is also required.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective July 21, 2009. The Board found the evidence showed he was unable to work due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance based on the use of a right foot orthotic device was denied because there is no record of him using such an orthotic in 2020 or 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a non-arthritis disorder characterized by muscle and joint pain, both related to the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during his service at Enewetak Atoll. The conditions were found to be directly related to his in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 11, 2014 is being remanded as the AOJ has not yet referred it for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as secondary to scleroderma and remanded the issue of service connection for a neck disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and arthritis (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis) due to incomplete compliance with previous remands.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from February 9, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for bell's palsy, hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on exposure to toxic or radiation in service.