Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inconclusive evidence regarding a current diagnosis of nondegenerative arthritis and requests for an additional VA examination, updated bloodwork, if necessary, and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, finding that the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and remanded the remaining claims based on exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran's claims will be returned to the AOJ with the Under Secretary for Health's report.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg and foot disorders, including tinea pedis and pes planus. The previous examination reports were deemed inadequate due to a lack of discussion on tinea pedis and an incomplete reliance on the lack of in-service notation for the disorders.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other health issues, due to the appellant withdrawing her appeal.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted as aggravated by his service, and he has radiculopathy of the lower extremities secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. However, his migraines prior to March 30, 2021 are not rated higher than noncompensable.,The Veteran's left ankle arthritis is granted as aggravated by service, but his migraines and radiculopathy of the lower extremities secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and authorization from him to obtain these records. The Board will review the case again after this information has been obtained.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death. The immediate cause of death was hypovolemic shock.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for hand splints and back brace on a static/recurring basis is denied because there is no legal basis for such status.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 21, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether PTSD contributed substantially or materially to death, combined to cause death, or aided in its production.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral foot disability, both secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. The case is returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from August 26, 2011 for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral elbows, knees, and feet due to internal inconsistency in the January 2022 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disability, rheumatoid arthritis, and headaches due to unclear findings from previous VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the pending service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disorder, finding no current disability separate from rheumatoid arthritis. Service connection was granted for left foot degenerative arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral foot disorders and whether they are related to service. The examiner must address if his pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by military service, if his gout is related to in-service complaints, and if it is secondary to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were granted effective November 14, 2017. The initial ratings for these conditions remain at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's feet disabilities and soft tissue inflammation of the feet. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for her right wrist disability as it was not addressed in this decision.