Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2023

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding reductions in disability evaluations and denials of higher evaluations for lumbosacral spondylosis, DDD of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is causally linked to his military service and presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the condition worsened during active duty and presuming aggravation. The Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, requiring further development and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is related to her service-connected right knee condition or if it causes additional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for RA prior to August 27, 2019 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5002 due to the lack of severe impairment or incapacitating exacerbations occurring four or more times a year.

Your claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded because we need to obtain your Social Security Administration records and you have not completed the necessary forms.,Your claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are also being remanded due to incomplete forms. We need you to complete and return VA Forms 21-8940 and 21-4192.,Your TDIU claim is being remanded because we need you to cooperate in obtaining evidence needed to adjudicate your claims, including completing the necessary forms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to discrepancies in her active duty dates and outstanding medical records. The issues include back disability, depression, vertigo, migraines, bilateral wrist pain, right foot disability, and left eye disability.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from June 22, 2015 to August 9, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities. For the earlier period, he did not meet the criteria.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the condition is not causally related to military service and did not manifest within one year of separation.