Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective July 21, 2009. The Board found the evidence showed he was unable to work due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance based on the use of a right foot orthotic device was denied because there is no record of him using such an orthotic in 2020 or 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a non-arthritis disorder characterized by muscle and joint pain, both related to the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during his service at Enewetak Atoll. The conditions were found to be directly related to his in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 11, 2014 is being remanded as the AOJ has not yet referred it for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as secondary to scleroderma and remanded the issue of service connection for a neck disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and arthritis (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis) due to incomplete compliance with previous remands.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from February 9, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for bell's palsy, hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on exposure to toxic or radiation in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's disease due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, particularly in light of the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric, neurologic, and musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back condition renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation on an extraschedular basis, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for MCTD, scleroderma, polymyositis and overlapping lupus, Raynaud's disease, atheromatous, and rheumatoid arthritis as the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions and a compensable rating have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic dry mouth due to potential service connection issues related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has identified errors in the duty to assist and remands the claims for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's muscle and joint pain, including rheumatoid arthritis. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these conditions had their onset during active service or are otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD with bipolar disorder and substance abuse disorder), and rheumatoid arthritis. The appeal was also withdrawn for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis A and C.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of both wrists and hands, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood and other service-connected conditions have been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of this decision. The Board has also determined that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and has granted TDIU.