Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, including psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain syndrome, and a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, patellofemoral syndrome, lumbar lordosis and myalgia of the thighs result in functional loss of use of both feet. The Board finds this meets the criteria for eligibility to receive financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for headaches due to head injury, but remanded for further development. The back disability claim is also remanded as new evidence suggests a possible nexus to service.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine the current level of severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis and posttraumatic arthritis of the right ankle, as well as rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral knees and shoulders. Service connection was denied for osteoarthritis of the left ankle and wrists.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was incurred in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination and remand directives. The issues include increased ratings for lumbar myositis, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and right lower extremity associated with lumbar myositis; discogenic disease, lumbar spine, as well as TDIU and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.,A separate compensable rating (10%) has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted a rating of 20 percent effective March 31, 2010.,Both left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted a rating of 20 percent effective November 12, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spondylosis and radiculopathy of the lower right extremity due to additional development being required. The issues are inextricably intertwined with respect to TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s rheumatoid arthritis had onset during his period of active duty service, and the benefit sought was granted based on that theory.

The Board denied a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to September 7, 2007 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, depression, lumbar spine DJD, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), and condyloma acuminatum due to inconsistencies in medical records and need for further examination.