Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Veteran's reduction in the rating for his service-connected IVDS from 40 percent to 20 percent was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for his service-connected IVDS with exception of temporary total ratings assigned between May 22, 2015 and July 1, 2015, is denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints due to additional evidence obtained by VA, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including an examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance or is housebound based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral eyes disorder, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis of the entire system.,Service connection was not granted for these conditions as there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease that could be linked to the current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension (HTN), and hypothyroidism were dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. Other claims are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including low back strain with degenerative joint disease. The TDIU will be granted but without an effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is distinct from his service-connected right wrist fracture, and if so, whether it is caused or aggravated by that condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render them unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection related to respiratory problems, blood blockage on the left side of the neck, hypertension, and a right hip condition are not fully developed due to inadequate VA examinations. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, have rendered him unemployable since October 15, 2019. A TDIU rating is granted from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability prior to October 7, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of TDIU prior to this date and grants the claim.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained are inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining a new opinion on the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions and their relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, rheumatoid arthritis, blood clot in the lungs, blood clot in veins, and muscle inflammation are granted service connection. However, his duodenal ulcer does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis (claimed as rheumatism), and arthritis were denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no indication that the Veteran had any of these conditions during or immediately after service.

The Board has received a withdrawal request from the appellant and thus dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid lung disease, mediastinal nodes enlargement, and a lung condition to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of multiple joints (including ankles, knees, and feet), were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as benign pulmonary nodules, was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to active duty service, to include as due to presumed in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran’s arthritis disability, diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to active duty service, to include as due to presumed in-service herbicide exposure.