Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for left knee arthroplasty from February 1, 2017. The issues of service connection for an autoimmune disorder and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral wrists. The examiner is asked to provide detailed information about range of motion tests and any additional functional loss due to pain during flare-ups or with repeated use over time.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and left foot disability. The claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder began in service and continues to persist. The Board has granted service connection for this condition. Other skin, diabetes, eye, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bone loss, tinnitus, kidney, gallbladder, appendix tumor, rectal bleeding, headache, right leg nerve damage, left leg disability, sinusitis, and multi-site arthritis disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of bilateral hands, including as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and as due to exposure to herbicide agents including Agent Orange.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's condition resulted from in-service injury or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on the rheumatic disabilities present during the appeal period and their relationship to service. The Veteran's statements, including his testimony from a July 2016 hearing, are considered in forming the medical opinion.

The Board has found that a remand of the claim is necessary due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a bilateral leg disorder. The claims will be considered based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities substantially impairing his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disorder (scar tissue of the lungs), and low back disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are now pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected conditions, including back disorder, knee disorders, CAD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities secondary to a cervical spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is now returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach disability, rheumatoid arthritis, loss of teeth and gum disease, and residuals of cataract with pseudophakia are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential in-service radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis involving hands, wrists, knees, ankles, and pulmonary nodules was not received until April 13, 2010. The effective date of the award is therefore set to April 13, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting findings in the July 2021 VA examination.

The Board has ordered a remand to secure an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis and whether it clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and lack of relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, including whether it had its onset during or within one year of service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as 10 percent prior to April 7, 2021 and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated as 10 percent. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for this condition.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 22, 2013 to August 2, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 5, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied.,The Veteran's claim for entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied due to the lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940.