Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and conjunctivitis, as well as his request for an increased evaluation for dermatitis, were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30% evaluation for his service-connected dermatitis.

The Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disability.,DIC benefits were denied as the appellant did not meet the eligibility requirements under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has ordered a remand to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed polymyalgia rheumatica and whether it is related to his service-connected shell fragment wound to the left knee. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran is granted temporary total disability ratings for convalescence based on surgical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis of the left hand with ankylosis of the thumb, index and long fingers from April 1, 2008, until May 31, 2008, and from October 1, 2008, until November 30, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection is granted for hepatitis C or rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and private treatment records. The service connection secondary to rheumatic heart disease with aortic stenosis and cardiac murmur issue is also inextricably intertwined and will be addressed as part of the TDIU review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates were granted, with a rating of 100% assigned for the right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an updated VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and any other joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis. The examiner will also be requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disability renders him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as whether it is secondary to service-connected rheumatoid arthritis or left knee disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent since January 18, 2008. He is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knees are found to have been incurred during his service.,Lightheadedness and dizziness, presumed to be related to his Persian Gulf War service, are also found to have been incurred during his service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination and the need for updated medical evidence. The claim will be reviewed after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's seronegative rheumatoid-like polyarthritis and peptic ulcer disease with mild dumping syndrome and gastro-esophageal reflux have been granted a 100 percent evaluation, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a clarification from the February 2007 examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, low back disability, chronic headache disability, respiratory symptoms, and chronic fatigue, all of which were deemed to be related to undiagnosed illnesses. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's seronegative rheumatoid arthritis has not been active, and his current joint pains are attributable to non-service connected causes.,PTSD is manifested by flattened affect, impairment of short-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Board finds that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is service-connected, with her previous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis during service being considered as new and material evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine, low back, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for gout (also referred to as rheumatoid arthritis) is being remanded due to the need for a more complete examination and opinion regarding his current conditions and their relation to his in-service complaints.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.