Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of stroke, pneumothorax, lumbar scoliosis with degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease, and radiculopathy are all denied.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, effective from November 2012. Separate ratings of 20 percent have been granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with this condition. Other issues related to the Veteran's back disability remain pending and are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands and ankles, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and the need for new evaluations, as well as the need to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and chronic thyroiditis due to inadequate examinations conducted by physician assistants instead of requested specialists, and because the examinations did not adequately address whether the Veteran's symptoms during active service were early manifestations of her later diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of private treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and rheumatoid arthritis, will be reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and related joint disabilities are rated at 20 percent prior to January 15, 2016. The appeals for increased ratings for right ankle, left ankle, right hip, and left hip rheumatoid arthritis were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to rheumatoid factor or heart issues, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, bilateral hip arthritis, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 9, 2006. The decision grants a total disability rating due to individual unemployability from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand disability and an increased rating for iliotibial band syndrome of the left knee, finding no evidence to support the presence or causation of these conditions in service. The claim for left knee instability was granted with a separate 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis and DDD have been dismissed. The appeal for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied, while tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are pending and need further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and parathyroidism, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his age and other non-service-connected conditions are the primary factors preventing employment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis and to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.P. and Paradigm Orthopedics.

The Veteran's dental disability is not considered a compensable condition due to the presence of treatable carious teeth and replaceable missing teeth, which are not service-connected for compensation purposes.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left hip dislocation, lumbar spine condition, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left foot disorders. The VA is requested to obtain expert opinions on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the lower extremities. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are currently rated at 90 percent combined.