Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and remanded claims for bilateral wrist and hand disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for peripheral nervous system pain, to include rheumatoid arthritis, and granted an effective date of October 6, 2014, for the grant of service connection for left calf and left thumb scars. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, a bilateral shoulder disorder, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and rheumatoid arthritis as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claims for hypertension, back disorder, foot disorder, hip disorder, and peripheral neuropathy were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, and no nexus between the current disabilities and military service.

The Board granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, left knee strain, and right knee strain. Service connection was denied for amenorrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and restless leg syndrome. Melasma was granted under the Persian Gulf War provisions.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and granted special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The claim for service connection for hypertension was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, Meniere's syndrome, gynecological condition, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for palindromic rheumatism with rheumatoid arthritis and essential tremor, but dismissed claims for other joint pain, hand tremors, central nervous system damage, and sleep disturbances. The remaining issues were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis, effective August 10, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hand disability associated with rheumatoid arthritis has resulted in loss of use of both hands, and he is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diverticulitis, heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and sleep apnea due to inadequate development of evidence regarding in-service toxic exposures.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for physiologic tremors and dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The claims for service connection were remanded for readjudication.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, hypertension, and alcoholic liver disease. The claims for service connection for dental/oral disability, broken nose, degenerative arthritis/rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, sinusitis, higher ratings for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, hypertension, and alcoholic liver disease were remanded.

The Board granted new and relevant evidence to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, but remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for further development.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis to correct duty to assist errors, including an inadequate VA examination and missing medical records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate VA examinations and missing private medical records.

The appeal for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was dismissed, while ratings were restored for several conditions and a TDIU was granted.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Sjogren's syndrome and a 100 percent rating for rheumatoid arthritis with subsumed Sjogren's syndrome due to its total incapacitating nature.