Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete or inaccurate factual premises in previous opinions and insufficient examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes is related to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disorder, and low back disorder due to inadequate medical opinions provided in the previous remand.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and remanded the claims for initial compensable ratings for left and right knee disabilities, as well as for service connection for costochondritis.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be reviewed by the AOJ before a final decision can be made on the claims. The Veteran's service connection requests for various conditions are being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and glaucoma, as well as the claim for TDIU due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's STRs are presumed destroyed by a fire in 1973.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, asthma, bilateral pes planus, and others, have prevented her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 26, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his education and occupational experience are sufficient to allow for transferable skills.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is granted. The Board also grants the Veteran's claim for aggravation of his pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis by service, but remands the issue of service connection for lower extremity conditions other than rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disease, including rheumatoid arthritis and SLE, finding that the current condition is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from October 8, 2014, to March 19, 2020. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, but has remanded the issue of chronic thyroiditis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is found to have started during her military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities. The issues of service connection for hip disabilities are remanded due to the Veteran wanting to withdraw his appeal. The reduction in rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for back disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's death was attributed to hypertension, which the Board found service-connected for purposes of determining whether it contributed to his death. The cause of death listed on his certificate was respiratory failure due to or as a consequence of acute diastolic heart failure and pneumonia.,Service connection was denied for myasthenia gravis, autoimmune disorders (SLE and RA), and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis have affected other parts of the Veteran's body, including internal organs. The claims are also remanded to determine if fibromyalgia is caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate examinations. The issues include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a bilateral lower extremity condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation and earlier effective date for lumbar spine surgical scar. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for low back disability, radiculopathy, TDIU, and severance of service connection are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability has been reopened, and he is now entitled to have his case reviewed on the merits.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to issues with the Board's analysis of his educational history and work capacity. The case is now being returned for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus due to incomplete record development and the need for a VA examination.