Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2011

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not shown to be related to his service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed fifth and eighth rib fracture residuals were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability, nor is there credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, residuals of ovarian cysts, and vascular cephalgia were granted. The Veteran was awarded higher initial disability ratings for these conditions. Service connection for renal lithiasis, radiculopathy of right lower extremity (claimed as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease), systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic neck condition and a chronic sinus condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of rheumatoid arthritis or tendinopathy in service and concluded that these conditions did not start during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected polyarthritis has rendered him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including psoriasis. The issue of whether his arthritis is secondary to his skin disorder remains pending and will be addressed in conjunction with this decision.

The Veteran has current rheumatoid arthritis that began in service, and the Board finds his reports of joint pain symptoms beginning in service to be credible. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee with degenerative joint disease and rheumatoid pulmonary nodules, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board found no evidence of rheumatoid arthritis in service or within one year thereafter, and the Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms were not credible. Therefore, service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to verify the Veteran's service dates and to schedule her for VA examinations to determine if her current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is likely to have had its onset during his active duty. The issue of service connection for asthma remains pending and will be addressed in a future remand.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for postoperative residuals of a right hip replacement is being remanded to the RO due to procedural issues and potential development needs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any joint disability and psychiatric disability. The case will be reviewed again after all necessary development has been completed.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the evaluation for DDD of the lumbar spine was proper, and service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hip disability, pulmonary disability, left elbow disability, and heart disability (secondary to DDD of the lumbar spine) have been granted. The Veteran's combined rating remains at 40%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient rationale in a February 2009 medical opinion. The case is now before the Board for readjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and for increased ratings for his right inguinal hernia and PTSD. The claim for service connection was based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran, but the Board found no medical evidence establishing a relationship between current rheumatoid arthritis and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disorder and rheumatoid arthritis are not related to his service-connected disabilities, including residuals of status-post pelvic fractures and major depressive disorder. The Board determined that these conditions are more likely due to post-service factors such as alcoholism and prednisone use.