Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as it was granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's claims of a compensable disability rating for rheumatoid arthritis and service connection for depression, as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required more than one daily insulin injection and a restricted diet. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's application for VA home loan benefits was denied due to his discharge reason being 'discharged because of not meeting medical fitness standards at time of enlistment.' The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the complete service personnel records, including any findings from the ABCMR regarding the classification of his release/discharge.

Service connection is granted for deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis.,Service connection is also granted for Parkinson's disease, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple joints, diverticulitis, peripheral neuropathy as secondary to heart disease, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the Board dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of multiple conditions due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disc disease, left hip injury and arthritis, and right hip injury and arthritis. The decision is based on new evidence received after the April 2020 rating decision that supports a finding of in-service causation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for frostbite of the bilateral hands and rheumatoid arthritis due to a lack of a VA examination, which is required by the duty to assist.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain all relevant medical records and failed to provide an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right hip conditions. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions.,No compensable initial rating was granted for allergic rhinitis from February 7, 2019, to April 21, 2020.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the left hand and right hand have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and PTSD have been granted. The rating for PTSD has been increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and related disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left hip replacement, and degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, were evaluated. The rating for active process rheumatoid arthritis was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis have been granted. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 11, 2010 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inconsistencies in prior examinations, need for clarification of flare-ups, and lack of recent private treatment records. The Veteran will be asked to provide authorization for release of any relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disability.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, neck disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis are all denied due to the lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, Chron's disease, erectile dysfunction, and rheumatoid arthritis due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Specifically, a remand is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service, as well as to provide VA examinations for hypertension, Chron's disease, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, shoulder disorders, low back disorder, and knee disorders are not service-connected. The GI disorder is presumed to be due to Camp Lejeune exposure.,Further examination is needed for the shoulders, low back, knees, and GI issues.