Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in the previous VA examination and a need for additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral upper extremity disability, originally claimed as wrist pain, is being remanded due to the need to address his cervical spine disability and obtain any relevant VA treatment records. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability has also been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is not properly rated, and the Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule an examination to assess the current severity of the condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of hypertension, TDIU, and rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis of bilateral knees and ankles, a low back condition including arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea. The claims of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for right hip disability, rheumatoid arthritis, skin disability (vitiligo), and periodontal disability due to potential service connection based on aggravation of these conditions by diabetes mellitus.

Service connection for fibromyalgia is granted due to its presumptive relationship with service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.,Service connection for a skin condition, claimed as rash, is denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus was denied, but the RO reopened and granted service connection. The initial rating assigned is 10 percent.,Service connection for DJD of thoracolumbar spine was granted with an initial rating of 10 percent. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of thoracolumbar spine was not established as it was not shown in service or presumed due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, PTSD, and depressive disorder were all granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar spondylosis, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The claim for TDIU is granted with the exception of the rating reduction for right knee osteoarthritis which is remanded.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, elbows, knees, and ankles is rated at 10 percent prior to April 18, 2012, and a rating in excess of 60 percent thereafter. The appeal is granted for these ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disability and remanded it. The issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for rectal disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claim for service connection of various conditions was not filed within one year of his daughters' 18th birthdays, and thus an earlier effective date could not be granted.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether rheumatoid arthritis was proximately caused or aggravated by left knee osteoarthritic changes, including any medication used for treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his service-connected conditions and exposure to Agent Orange. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary incontinence and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that the urinary incontinence was related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus being incurred in or aggravated by service, and the cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has found that the current record is insufficient to rate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and thus remands for an updated VA examination.