Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to November 1, 2019 on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hallux rigidus has been remanded due to new evidence. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and spondylosis in the lumbar spine and L4-5 central spinal stenosis have been denied.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral hallux rigidus, but the Veteran's claim is reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability and right leg radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than persistent depressive disorder. The decision is based on the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and a need for further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disorder, to include rheumatoid arthritis and/or Sjogren's syndrome, finding that the Veteran did not have such a condition during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, including prostate cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction (claimed as impotency), and total left knee replacement. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 16, 2014 for the award of a 20 percent disability rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and December 8, 2014 for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for adjudication of a CUE claim and readjudication of his TDIU claim. The issues include service connection, determination of CUE in an August 2017 rating decision, and entitlement to TDIU prior to April 19, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD. The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability and rheumatoid arthritis are remanded for further development. A compensable rating is also remanded for the Veteran's linear porokeratosis of the left hand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain a substantially gainful occupation, effective December 7, 2016.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by marked deformity and pain on use, is rated at 20 percent effective from May 26, 2004.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to outstanding SSA records that may contain relevant evidence. The earlier effective date claim is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, cerebrovascular accident (claimed as mini strokes), bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The AOJ must obtain updated medical records from the Veteran's new location in Florida.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on a higher level of special aid and attendance due to his need for personal health-care services provided daily in his home by licensed professionals, necessitating nursing home care if not provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthropathy of the hands (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis) is granted.,Effective May 1, 2012, the Veteran's claims for scars on his right upper and lower extremities and left lower extremity are granted.,Effective May 1, 2012, the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot degenerative joint disease is granted.,Effective May 1, 2012, the Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot degenerative joint disease is granted.,Effective May 1, 2012, the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease (status post rotator cuff and impingement surgery) is granted.,Effective May 1, 2012, the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder degenerative joint disease (status post rotator cuff and impingement surgery) is granted.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of right carpal tunnel syndrome with median and lower radicular group involvement are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional medical opinions and to obtain relevant records, including from Social Security Administration (SSA). The issues include service connection for various conditions such as right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, flat feet, edema, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, headache disorder, head injury residuals, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than insomnia.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for a neck disability, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity (RUE), headaches (claimed as cephalgia), erectile dysfunction (ED), and intestinal disability due to exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune. The VA will provide additional examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy and Hartman's pouch (intestinal disability) is remanded, as the Veteran has not been provided a VA examination to assess this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, and the case is dismissed.