Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is granted a 60% rating from April 30, 2010. The ratings for chronic hand strain with painful motion of the thumb, ring, and little fingers on both hands are denied. A noncompensable rating for a right hand scar associated with chronic right hand strain remains in effect.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development regarding the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar I disorder, was granted. The claims for cyst formation on the testicles and right foot pes planus were denied. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and hypertension are pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a CV disorder, skin cancer, bilateral lower extremity edema, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran was also denied entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was not granted for the claimed conditions as there was no direct evidence linking them to service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and bilateral pes planus. The claims are also remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. The issues are related to secondary service connection due to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and requests for addendum opinions. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine their impact on his ability to perform daily activities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for rheumatoid arthritis prior to May 1, 2014, finding that the Veteran's condition was not active during this period and did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's lower back disability is rated at 40 percent effective April 13, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient efforts by the AOJ in obtaining the Veteran's service records. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issues related to psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis remain pending as they were not discussed or addressed in the July 2013 VA examination.

The claim for service connection for COPD is reopened and the appeal is granted to this extent only. The claims for bilateral knee disorders and a left shoulder disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of the condition and thus no basis to grant the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and need for additional evidence. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and rheumatoid arthritis of the hand are being addressed.