Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2023

The Veteran was granted separate 20 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy effective September 24, 2013 and April 3, 2014 respectively.,These decisions are based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's symptoms of radiculopathy in both legs became manifest before the dates specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, right and left foot disabilities, and rheumatoid arthritis due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The claims are being returned for additional evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional development is required.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. Service connection for multiple sclerosis is also granted, but the issues of service connection for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and bilateral toe fungus are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of right foot, left foot, lumbar spine, arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis), respiratory disability (including asthma, fainting spells, and chronic cough), pulmonary embolism, and lupus are all being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service connected. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of severe right shoulder pain related to her military service and remands for further examination. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is also found to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand, left hand, right knee, and left knee rheumatoid arthritis disorders are not related to his active service. The Veteran's left wrist disorder is also not linked to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, lumbar spine arthritis and bony spurs at multi-levels of lumbosacral spine with lumbar stenosis, and right leg disorder (rheumatoid arthritis).,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis or in-service injury that would support the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and right knee degenerative joint disease.,Remaining claims of service connection are being remanded due to outstanding Social Security Administration medical records.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and hypogonadism. For rheumatoid arthritis, the evidence did not support a finding of direct or presumptive service connection.,For hypogonadism, the Board found no nexus to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted on a schedular basis from September 25, 2017. The Board has also remanded the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to September 25, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the neck, shoulders, lower back, elbows, wrists, hands, knees, ankles, and feet is granted as her current diagnosis aligns with her symptoms during service.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints, including the neck, shoulders, elbows, ankles, and fingers, as there is no current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis to his active service, including Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran must provide additional evidence or cooperate with any necessary development.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, left knee disability, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of private medical records and a need for clarification on whether rheumatoid arthritis is present. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of left shoulder condition and rheumatoid arthritis for further development due to inadequate opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the award of a combined 100 percent evaluation. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and depressive disorder with a major depressive episode and anxious distress due to chronic pain disorder is remanded.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for his service-connected radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The Board finds that records from Southwest Medical Associates, Dudley Chiropractic, and Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center may contain relevant information to support an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to incomplete medical records from his service and post-service treatment. The VA will attempt to obtain these records.