Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his unspecified mood disorder with insomnia is granted to a 50 percent disability rating. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was caused by a flu shot administered in December 2012.

The Veteran's increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis of the left and right feet and ankles are denied, but she is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were granted increased ratings, with a 40% rating for each condition from April 7, 2015 to November 18, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is related to her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the compensable disability rating for rheumatoid arthritis as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and needs further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, allergy disability, and asthma due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease (IVDS), sciatica (right and left legs), and a scar on her right lumbar region, preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU for the periods specified.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for left knee arthroplasty from February 1, 2017. The issues of service connection for an autoimmune disorder and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral wrists. The examiner is asked to provide detailed information about range of motion tests and any additional functional loss due to pain during flare-ups or with repeated use over time.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and left foot disability. The claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder began in service and continues to this day. The Board has granted service connection for this condition. Other conditions, including skin disabilities, diabetes mellitus, eye disabilities, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bone loss, tinnitus, kidney disability, gallbladder disability, appendix tumor, rectal bleeding, headache disability, nerve damage, and arthritis are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for arthritis of bilateral hands and rheumatoid arthritis. However, both conditions are denied as service connection is not established due to lack of evidence linking them to service or exposure to herbicide agents.