Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including ear, nose and throat disability, hypertension, thyroid disability, hypoglycemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus type II. The claims were denied as no new and material evidence was provided.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine his current conditions and entitlement to benefits. The claims of service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, chronic foot infection, rheumatoid arthritis, and SMP are currently on hold pending completion of this development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, namely bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and degenerative changes at the metatarsal joints; lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease associated with bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and degenerative changes at the metatarsal joints; and radiculopathy, right L 5 associated with lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease have been of sufficient severity to produce unemployability throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, right lower extremity. The Veteran's claim for bipolar disorder was denied as it is not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and remanded her claims for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and mood disorder. Additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis has not been active, and his current joint pains are attributable to non-service-connected causes. The Board finds no evidence of active rheumatoid arthritis and thus denies a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's additional disability (chronic infection of the right elbow and additional rheumatoid arthritis impairment) due to VA error in judgment on his treatment with Enbrel is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed polymyalgia rheumatica is not related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and rheumatoid arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is related to service and whether she also has traumatic arthritis related to her in-service injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a right knee condition, finding no evidence of treatment or diagnosis during military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and verification of certain events.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during active service. The Board has granted this claim. No specific rating or effective date was assigned as the issue of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's right hip disability was rated at a 30 percent rating prior to August 14, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper extremity disabilities, meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. However, additional development is needed to determine his employability due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted, with a disability rating of 20% for the cervical spine condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The claims for left ankle, knee, and hip disabilities were not addressed due to the lack of relevant medical records.