Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10% and the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating. The appeal for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased disability rating for isolated systolic hypertension. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left upper extremity disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the appellant's right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since February 7, 2020. He is also in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and orthopedic disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU on schedular basis as he meets the criteria for one disability rated 60% or more and at least one disability rated at 40% or more with sufficient additional disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee DJD, instability, lumbar disc bulge, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and cellulitis of the left leg. The remand requires additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability causes him to need regular aid and attendance, thus granting SMC based on this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and radiculopathy of the left sciatica nerve are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records to be reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service. The case is sent back for an additional VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis. The claim will be returned for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for Graves' disease, eye irritation, rheumatoid arthritis, and high cholesterol due to insufficient development and examination.

The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to November 1, 2019 on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hallux rigidus has been remanded due to new evidence. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and spondylosis in the lumbar spine and L4-5 central spinal stenosis have been denied.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral hallux rigidus, but the Veteran's claim is reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability and right leg radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than persistent depressive disorder. The decision is based on the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and a need for further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disorder, to include rheumatoid arthritis and/or Sjogren's syndrome, finding that the Veteran did not have such a condition during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, including prostate cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction (claimed as impotency), and total left knee replacement. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 16, 2014 for the award of a 20 percent disability rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and December 8, 2014 for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for adjudication of a CUE claim and readjudication of his TDIU claim. The issues include service connection, determination of CUE in an August 2017 rating decision, and entitlement to TDIU prior to April 19, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD. The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability and rheumatoid arthritis are remanded for further development. A compensable rating is also remanded for the Veteran's linear porokeratosis of the left hand.