Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left shoulder and hand disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and back pain. The evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.,No VA examination or medical opinion was provided in relation to these claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for right knee rheumatoid arthritis and increased ratings for related conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran is granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected left foot disability, which results in the loss of use of one lower extremity and affects balance. The appeal seeking a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and bilateral wrist and hand rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the conditions are secondary to service-connected asthma and in-service hand injuries, respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating, finding no CUE in the April 2016 decision.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 3, 2018 for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and tension headaches. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings or additional disabilities are remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's claim for travel expenses reimbursement was remanded due to the submission of an incorrect appointment date by the Veteran on his beneficiary travel claim. The Board requested the Veteran to resubmit the claim using the correct appointment date and issued a notice of decision.

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's disease and rheumatoid arthritis (upper extremities) have rendered him helpless, entitling him to SMC at the 'O' rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including incomplete medical opinions and failure to obtain relevant records such as ROTC personnel records.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to the need for further development.,No new or material evidence has been submitted, and the issues remain unresolved.

The Board has denied all increased rating claims for various service-connected conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction (ED), bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus (DM).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals as untimely, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his claimed conditions and military service, particularly exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches, mitral valve prolapse, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, low back disability, and sciatic radicular pain of both lower extremities are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical examinations and opinions to address service connection for recurrent multi-joint and muscle disability (CFS, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis) and whether it is related to service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to March 30, 2012 for service connection of right shoulder rheumatoid arthritis, residual of Sjögren's syndrome, with strain, rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement syndrome.,The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to March 30, 2012 for service connection of left shoulder rheumatoid arthritis, residual of Sjögren's syndrome, with strain, rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement syndrome.,The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to March 30, 2012 for service connection of right knee rheumatoid arthritis, residual of Sjögren's syndrome, with strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome.,The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to March 30, 2012 for service connection of left knee rheumatoid arthritis, residual of Sjögren's syndrome, with strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome.,The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to March 30, 2012 for service connection of dry eye syndrome, residual of Sjögren's syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anemia as secondary to her service-connected rheumatoid arthritis was dismissed due to the withdrawal of her appeal by her attorney prior to a scheduled hearing.