Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance from March 24, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits of various conditions have been dismissed due to a prohibited concurrent election. The claims were pending before the RO pursuant to an HLR request when VA received the Veteran's appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disorder and TDIU due to the lack of evidence showing a nexus between any current autoimmune condition and the Veteran's period of active service or service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back condition, a neck condition, and rheumatoid arthritis. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of the provided evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC at a rate greater than (l) as there is no evidence that his rheumatoid arthritis or PTSD/TBI require regular aid and attendance on a daily basis, and he does not meet the criteria for higher levels of care.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and chronic sinusitis, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis secondary to his right wrist injury during active duty is being remanded due to a lack of sufficient rationale in the January 2024 VA examination.

Your service connection for painful scar, left shoulder and left shoulder status post Bankart/SLAP repair has been granted. The effective date is April 3, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's right knee disability. The rating for hemorrhoids was also addressed, with some ratings restored or reduced.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors, incomplete private treatment records, and the need for updated toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed joint pain, including rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis with peripheral and axial spondyloarthritis, finding that it is directly related to in-service streptococcal infections.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis due to inadequate examination and exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's chronic back condition.

The Veteran passed away before the Board could make a decision on her service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome. Her appeal is dismissed due to her death.

The Board has remanded the claims for liver disorders, gastric varices, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, and tinnitus due to a lack of current disability evidence. The Veteran's service participation in TERA is recognized.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support direct service connection or any other theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 18, 2023 for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance due to his Parkinson's disease and related conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for rhinitis is denied.,Initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status as he does not have a single disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%, nor is he permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.