Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for shoulders and neck disabilities, as there was a failure to provide notice of the right to a hearing before the AOJ.

The Board denied service connection for a shoulder condition, bilateral knee condition, and right hip condition. The Veteran's claims were based on current diagnoses of these conditions but the evidence did not support an in-service injury or disease.,The Board also noted that there was no nexus between the current disabilities and service due to lack of in-service complaints or injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hepatic steatosis have been denied. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed conditions.

Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service or as a result of a disease or injury in active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for left elbow medial epicondylitis with rheumatoid arthritis and right elbow lateral epicondylitis with rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for blackouts and fainting spells, a bilateral foot condition, and rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis due to errors in fulfilling statutory and regulatory duties, including failing to consider a private medical opinion and the PACT Act.

The Veteran's multi-joint arthritis/rheumatoid arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating higher than this.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed as a matter of law.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has not met the criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only due to her service-connected rheumatoid arthritis as her condition has not resulted in permanent loss of use of hands or feet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, heart disorder, insomnia, sexual arousal disorder, gynecological disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and HTN. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as secondary to the service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the current RA is caused or worsened by the psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, heart disability, and rheumatoid arthritis due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal regarding the earlier effective date for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis affecting various fingers and wrists. The Board dismissed the appeals as per the Veteran's request.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a kidney removal and prostate disability due to incomplete VA medical opinions regarding exposure to toxic substances at Fort Ord. The claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and pityriasis amiantacea (claimed as plaque psoriasis) due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a TDIU form and undergo an aid and attendance examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency, fibromyalgia, heart condition, thyroid disorder, primary optic atrophy of the bilateral eyes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for PTSD was not granted, and the claims for left foot neuropathy, right foot neuropathy, left knee arthroplasty and rheumatoid arthritis, and right knee arthritis were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty and did not have a nexus to any service-connected disabilities.