Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected knee disorder is alleged to have aggravated his right hip osteoarthritis, which requires a new VA examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability did not render him unemployable prior to January 15, 2016. The Board found that his other conditions and work history precluded him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted initial evaluations, with the right lower extremity radiculopathy also being established. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since November 2, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, finding that his symptoms have been continuous since he was in service and supported by medical records.

The Veteran's claim for non-degenerative arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis is denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet, and hammer toe of the left foot second toe as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. ,Service connection is granted for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's claim for gout, other than gout of the fingers and thumbs remains pending due to lack of evidence regarding its onset in service or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for hammer toes other than the second toe of the left foot is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, to include arthritis, is remanded for further examination.

Your claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been fully granted in an August 2020 rating decision. The appeal is dismissed as there are no unresolved issues.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity stress fractures have been granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The remanded conditions of bilateral pes planus, acute inflammation, and rheumatoid arthritis are pending further review.

The Veteran's right hip, left hip, and right hand rheumatoid arthritis are not service-connected.,The Veteran's seizures are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims of erectile dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis (claimed as joint pain), back disability, and neck disability with radiculopathy for further examination and determination.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spondylosis, radiculopathy of the right leg, neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran's conditions are presumed due to service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right wrist rheumatoid arthritis and service connection for a right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, was denied because the condition is not a recognized presumptive disease or disorder related to herbicide exposure. The Board found that there is no evidence of chronicity in service and no established continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection. Claims for Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, right foot hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis were denied. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to confusion in the medical evidence and inconsistencies regarding the nature of the Veteran's conditions during active service. The issues include residuals of rheumatoid arthritis and polyarthralgia, a heart condition, and hypertension.

The Board denied effective dates prior to September 29, 2022 for service connection of residuals of a lumbar compression fracture, RLE radiculopathy, and a surgical scar of the low back.

The Veteran's claims for generalized joint pain, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and erectile dysfunction have all been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lung conditions were linked to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The claim is now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, including failing to obtain VA examinations and verify exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis may be related to his service, particularly if he was exposed to Agent Orange. His acquired psychiatric disorder is also related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, foot, hand, and elbow disabilities due to a motorcycle accident in service. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the relationship between these conditions and active duty service.