Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for Sjogren's syndrome, finding that it is more likely than not related to the Veteran's military service and exposure to herbicides. The issues of service connection for other conditions are remanded due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action due to VA's failure to fully comply with its duty to assist the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The seronegative rheumatoid-like polyarthritis and benign prostatic hypertrophy with history of prostatitis, status post transurethral resection and bladder lesion are currently rated as 60 percent and 20 percent disabling respectively.

The Board found that the appellant's current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disorder, left foot disorder, and left shoulder disorder were denied as there is no medical evidence showing current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for status post right hemicolectomy, carcinoid tumor of the terminal ileum of the small bowel with pericolonic lymph node metastases and cancer of the lymph nodes/carcinoma syndrome to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, and for claimed rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative disc disease, degenerative changes of both knees, diabetes mellitus type 2, pes cavus in both feet, hypertension, arthritic changes of the left shoulder, and rheumatoid arthritis affecting both lower extremities.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain the Veteran's missing service treatment records, which may provide important information regarding his rheumatoid arthritis. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, and a back disorder. The claim for service connection of arthritis of the left elbow is pending.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus, rheumatoid arthritis, back problems, and knee problems are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the feet is generally asymptomatic and does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.,There are no objective findings of limitation of motion, swelling, muscle spasm, or painful motion in either foot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran was not treated for arthritis in service or within the first post-service year, and his current arthritis is not related to his military service. His PTSD symptoms include difficulty sleeping, nightmares, anger, irritability, short-term memory loss, disturbed mood, and relationship issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current osteopenia and whether it is related to radiation exposure. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services provided by Bear Valley Hospital on April 20, 2008 was denied as he did not obtain prior authorization and the treatment was not an emergency requiring immediate action.

The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis with particular involvement of the shoulders, knees, elbows, feet, and ankles is rated as 100 percent disabling due to chronic residuals including limitation of motion.