Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disorder (scar tissue of the lungs), and low back disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are related to his exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected conditions, including back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee disorders, CAD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis involving hands, wrists, knees, ankles, and pulmonary nodules was not received until April 13, 2010. The effective date of the award is therefore set to April 13, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach disability, rheumatoid arthritis, loss of teeth and gum disease, and residuals of cataract with pseudophakia are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential in-service radiation exposure.

The Board remands the case to secure another etiology opinion that is responsive to its queries regarding service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as further development is needed.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints for a clarifying medical opinion, including addressing a theory of presumptive service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for the evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder due to lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal. Service connection and evaluations were granted or denied for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed osteoarthritis, which is claimed as rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders and legs. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new opinions.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for respiratory conditions and rheumatoid arthritis due to a lack of STRs, and further development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and remanded the issue of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis, type II diabetes mellitus, and numbness in the hands and feet were all denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.,There was no current diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus or early-onset peripheral neuropathy (as required by the amended regulations), which precluded presumptive service connection for numbness in the hands and feet.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The claims for diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis of bilateral hands, Raynaud’s syndrome, anemia, cervical strain, and erectile dysfunction are denied.,The Veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection on a direct basis or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has also remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand disorders (polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis) due to exposure to cold weather during active duty in Korea. The decision is based on the benefit of doubt.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, combined with his nonservice-connected cervical spine disability and peripheral vascular disease, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since May 4, 2015.