Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lung disorder and its relation to his military service, specifically exposure to chemicals and solvents. The Veteran is requested to provide private treatment records from Dr. Karthikeyan and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no evidence linking any disability to his service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain and acquired psychiatric disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's claims for dental disability, herpes simplex virus, and hypercholesterolemia were denied. The claim for steroid acne was granted.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran contends that her rheumatoid arthritis began during service or was aggravated by her service-connected right knee and shoulder disabilities.

The claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to a procedural error in the December 2024 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 5, 2024, for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathies.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The appeal for sleep apnea is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.,The appeals for migraine headaches and rheumatoid arthritis are granted to the extent that new evidence has been submitted, but service connection remains denied overall.,The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck conditions are not related to her active duty service, but has remanded for further examination regarding her bilateral shoulder conditions, knee conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, lumbosacral strain, plantar fasciitis, rheumatoid arthritis, prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, nasal disability, and pulmonary disability.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for various joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis have been denied. The appeal does not involve service connection based on exposure to specific environmental factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 5, 2024, for service connection of radiculopathy involving the femoral and sciatic nerves in both lower extremities.,Additionally, the Board denied an increased rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's other specified trauma or stress related disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his bilateral hand disabilities are granted service connection based on direct evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis and congenital hip dysplasia. The AOJ is instructed to confirm the Veteran's periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), specifically in 2010 when she was first diagnosed with congenital hip dysplasia, and obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding whether her congenital hip dysplasia is subject to any superimposed disease or injury in service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings of service-connected rheumatoid arthritis affecting various body parts, finding that SMC based on aid and attendance was granted.

The Veteran is found to be in need of personal care services due to her psychiatric conditions and requires supervision, protection or instruction. The Board remands the case for further evaluation on whether participation in PCAFC program is in the best interest of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his erectile dysfunction, as well as an evaluation of his bilateral knee and wrist disorders without medication.

The Board has decided that more evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability and rheumatoid arthritis with manifestations to include joint pain of the left side of the body were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the VA medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral arthritis of the feet are inadequate for adjudicative purposes, and that the VA failed to obtain private medical records. The case is being remanded to address these issues.