Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disease, including rheumatoid arthritis and SLE, finding that the current condition is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from October 8, 2014, to March 19, 2020. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, but has remanded the issue of chronic thyroiditis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is found to have started during her military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities. The issues of service connection for hip disabilities are remanded due to the Veteran wanting to withdraw his appeal. The reduction in rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for back disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's death was attributed to hypertension, which the Board found service-connected for purposes of determining whether it contributed to his death. The cause of death listed on his certificate was respiratory failure due to or as a consequence of acute diastolic heart failure and pneumonia.,Service connection was denied for myasthenia gravis, autoimmune disorders (SLE and RA), and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis have affected other parts of the Veteran's body, including internal organs. The claims are also remanded to determine if fibromyalgia is caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate examinations. The issues include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a bilateral lower extremity condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation and earlier effective date for lumbar spine surgical scar. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for low back disability, radiculopathy, TDIU, and severance of service connection are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability has been reopened, and he is now entitled to have his case reviewed on the merits.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to issues with the Board's analysis of his educational history and work capacity. The case is now being returned for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus due to incomplete record development and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconclusive evidence regarding a current diagnosis of nondegenerative arthritis and requests for an additional VA examination, updated bloodwork, if necessary, and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, finding that the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and remanded the remaining claims based on exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran's claims will be returned to the AOJ with the Under Secretary for Health's report.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg and foot disorders, including tinea pedis and pes planus. The previous examination reports were deemed inadequate due to a lack of discussion on tinea pedis and an incomplete reliance on the lack of in-service notation for the disorders.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other health issues, due to the appellant withdrawing her appeal.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted as aggravated by his service, and he has radiculopathy of the lower extremities secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. However, his migraines prior to March 30, 2021 are not rated higher than noncompensable.,The Veteran's left ankle arthritis is granted as aggravated by service, but his migraines and radiculopathy of the lower extremities secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and authorization from him to obtain these records. The Board will review the case again after this information has been obtained.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death. The immediate cause of death was hypovolemic shock.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for hand splints and back brace on a static/recurring basis is denied because there is no legal basis for such status.