Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathies of the LLE and RLE are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for autoimmune disorders, myasthenia gravis, and peripheral neuropathy. The cause of death claim is also deferred until further development on these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and providing a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's back disability at the time of the January 2019 VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis of bilateral upper extremities, and osteoarthritis of bilateral lower extremities. The claims are therefore reopened. Further evaluation is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

Your increased rating claims for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine at L3-4, L4-5 and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been dismissed as part of an earlier legacy appeal. The Board is not considering these issues separately.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to schedular eligibility for the period prior to July 26, 2010 is denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their combined evaluation of 30 percent. The appeal for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and low back condition are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal regarding both the increase in rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and the reduction in rating is dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, ankles, and toes is granted service connection. The Veteran's Alzheimer's disease and cervical spine DDD are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of the hips, legs, and knees was granted. The issues of service connection for other joints were also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis affecting multiple bilateral joints and a rheumatoid lung condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran opting-in to the modernized appeal system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fracture of left mandible, postoperative.

Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed.,An effective date prior to February 9, 2018, for service connection of depressive disorder is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 9, 2018, is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service or within the presumptive period. The left ear hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is remanded for further review due to conflicting information regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome with xerostomia, but has remanded the issue of service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the appellant's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, specifically addressing both theories raised by the Appellant.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, which may be related to his service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches prior to August 4, 2021 was denied.,The Veteran's increased rating for headaches since August 4, 2021 was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his mobility issues are compensated by the assigned ratings for his disabilities.