Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's disease due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, particularly in light of the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric, neurologic, and musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back condition renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation on an extraschedular basis, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for MCTD, scleroderma, polymyositis and overlapping lupus, Raynaud's disease, atheromatous, and rheumatoid arthritis as the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions and a compensable rating have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic dry mouth due to potential service connection issues related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has identified errors in the duty to assist and remands the claims for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's muscle and joint pain, including rheumatoid arthritis. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these conditions had their onset during active service or are otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD with bipolar disorder and substance abuse disorder), and rheumatoid arthritis. The appeal was also withdrawn for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis A and C.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of both wrists and hands, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood and other service-connected conditions have been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of this decision. The Board has also determined that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for CAD residuals is dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal before the Board could make a decision. The issues of service connection for right hip disorder, TTD for convalescence after right hip surgery, and TDIU are all remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 24, 2014, finding insufficient evidence that her service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and LLE radiculopathy, but denied service connection for right wrist, left heel, right eye, and chest disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if her systemic rheumatoid arthritis began during service or was caused by an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left leg or knee disability, rectal bleeding, swollen hands and feet, rheumatoid arthritis, multi-site arthritis of the right shoulder, multi-site arthritis of the right hip, multi-site arthritis of the cervical spine (neck), multi-site arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back), right leg nerve damage, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, left kidney disability, gallbladder disability, sinusitis, headaches, appendix disability, discoloration and bacteria on the feet, erectile dysfunction, and eye disability or vision problems. The Board found no current disabilities for several conditions and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from 40 percent to 10 percent effective January 1, 2019 has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has withdrawn the issue of service connection for a blood disorder and granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa as secondary to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and determination.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, finding that these conditions are related to active duty service. The decision is based on a liberal interpretation of VA's policies.