Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2009

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders, knees, and lower back is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran is granted a temporary total disability rating of one month following his right total hip replacement surgery at the Durham VA Medical Center on December 14, 2003. He is also granted a permanent 100 percent disability rating for one year from that date.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed for service connection, DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and DEA under 38 U.S.C.A., Chapter 35.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis with numbness of the extremities, a lumbar disorder, heart disease, impaired hearing, and a chronic acquired eye disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bleeding in the stomach, a subdural hematoma, wrist, ankle, neck, elbow, and knee disorders, fatigue, and headaches have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The competent medical evidence now supports the Appellant's contention that her husband's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis substantially or materially contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and varicosities of the left lower extremity have been denied as there is no evidence in the record to support these conditions during or within one year after active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a chronic chest disorder, total mind and body disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, left foot disorder, and sleep apnea, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for a TDIU rating, but further examination is needed to determine if he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the pelvis and residuals of bilateral total hip replacements, arthritis of the low back, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any aspect of it.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain, healed fractures of the ribs, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The claim for service connection for a right knee injury has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle and foot pain are due to Charcot changes, which is service-connected. The bilateral hip disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to rheumatoid arthritis, which was found to have contributed substantially to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied DIC benefits. The appellant also sought DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 but was denied as well.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the right wrist and left ankle from June 27, 1997 was denied as there is no evidence showing active joint involvement that caused total incapacitation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip replacements, a right knee disability (claimed as secondary to left knee DJD), and lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and prostate enlargement were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for multiple joint rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to inadequate medical evidence in the current record.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 21, 2002 for the grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to the appellant's disabilities rendering her unable to care for herself.

The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound involving muscle groups III and IV may have contributed to his death, but this needs further clarification from a VA medical examiner.