Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2023

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis, effective December 30, 2014, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 14, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The AOJ is instructed to verify these exposures and then decide the claims based on the new information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, right knee status post total knee arthroscopic repair, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, IVDS of the spine and lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, osteoarthritis of the right ankle, osteoarthritis of the left ankle, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left knee, and rheumatoid arthritis (indicated by pes planus), render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, right hand, right wrist, right foot, and left foot.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the left (minor) elbow, prior to July 24, 2020; and for rheumatoid arthritis of the right (major) elbow, since July 24, 2020. The appeal is also denied for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of other joints including left shoulder, wrist, foot, knee, ankle, hip.

The Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis with degenerative joint disease is granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of his initial claim. SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right foot, as well as left and right knee disabilities are being remanded for additional examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion or scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar disorders. The claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for headaches and joint pain/rheumatoid arthritis are also being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for rashes and remanded the issues of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, gout, acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and mood disorder, duodenal ulcer, gastrointestinal disorder, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of residuals of a stroke, arthritis of the hands and fingers (to include rheumatoid arthritis), left ankle disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder have been remanded due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hip, left hip, and kidney disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 16, 2009, and the Board granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, type II, and gout due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to service. The PTSD claim is remanded as there are inconsistencies in the reported events and those documented in service records.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for malaria due to a withdrawal request. The issues of initial disability ratings for RA in multiple joints and hands are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, is granted. The request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, chronic lumbar pain, and severely damaged feet due to incomplete development of his service records. The Veteran will need further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia/fibromyositis, Lyme disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and osteoporosis due to inadequate VA medical opinions that did not comply with the Board's instructions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several issues, including those related to right knee and ankle osteoarthritis, shoulder osteoarthritis with impingement, diabetes mellitus, unspecified depressive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee, and rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee.,The Board also remanded two issues: entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement from April 1, 2017, and service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision. The issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his service in the Ohio Air National Guard and determine if any periods of deployment were federal service. The claims for service connection will be reconsidered after this verification.