Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, a liver disorder secondary to hepatitis C, hypertension secondary to PTSD with depression and polysubstance abuse, obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD with depression and polysubstance abuse, and denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for SNRA of the left knee has been granted. The appeal is also remanded for a new VA examination to determine if an increased rating for DJD and specially adapted housing (SAH) are warranted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, left knee replacements, and left hip replacements due to new evidence received. The case is remanded for further development regarding whether the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was aggravated by his anthrax vaccination series.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for adjudicative purposes and thus remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hip disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and rheumatoid arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The left shoulder disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation, and the claimant's statements about symptoms during service were not credible. The Board also found that exposure to Agent Orange did not cause rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's bilateral hand rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis disability has worsened, leading to a remand for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for upper extremity neurological disorders due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand and right hand rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and in-service herbicide exposure. The Board also found that there was not sufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of medical evidence linking rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints to service.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and remanded the issues of initial and increased disability ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted (rheumatoid arthritis) while others were not (lumbar spine).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the lack of adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's autoimmune disorders, myasthenia gravis, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues are related as they all involve exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, respectively. The decision is based on the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disorders due to potential issues with obtaining his non-VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral wrists and hands due to a need for an etiology opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis and a non-arthritis disorder characterized by muscle and joint pain, both potentially related to exposure to ionizing radiation. The case is being returned for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand (claimed as right arm disability), with the Board concluding that there is insufficient evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) to include scleroderma, polymyositis and overlapping lupus; Raynaud's disease; atheromatous; multiple calcified granulomas in liver and spleen; and rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including securing adequate medical opinions and obtaining relevant private treatment records.