Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the lack of adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's autoimmune disorders, myasthenia gravis, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues are related as they all involve exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, respectively. The decision is based on the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disorders due to potential issues with obtaining his non-VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral wrists and hands due to a need for an etiology opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis and a non-arthritis disorder characterized by muscle and joint pain, both potentially related to exposure to ionizing radiation. The case is being returned for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand (claimed as right arm disability), with the Board concluding that there is insufficient evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) to include scleroderma, polymyositis and overlapping lupus; Raynaud's disease; atheromatous; multiple calcified granulomas in liver and spleen; and rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including securing adequate medical opinions and obtaining relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney condition, rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, and gastrointestinal (GI) condition. The remand is due to inadequate medical nexus opinions obtained on previous remands.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the last supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis will be reconsidered by VBA.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the May 2018 remand directives and has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records from Allen Park VAMC, Detroit VAMC, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and any TRICARE records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, ankles, arms, hands, feet, and back is remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted, and his PTSD with unspecified trauma disorder is rated at 50 percent. Service connection for hypothyroidism with benign tumor is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining information about the qualifications of VA clinicians and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if any of the Veteran's conditions, including cirrhosis of the liver, are related to his military service. The examiner must consider the April 1969 service treatment records and the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding his claimed bilateral knee, ankle, foot, hand, and wrist disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are related to service. The VA examiner must provide a nexus opinion addressing the continuity of symptomatology and any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for further examination regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the cause of death and the relationship between asbestos exposure and heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected conditions have been remanded by the Board due to additional development needed.