Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2013

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia or a bilateral hand condition, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim was denied.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of joint pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthralgia and arthritis of multiple joints (excluding right shoulder and lumbar spine) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and assigned a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis and an increased initial evaluation for anxiety disorder prior to May 20, 2009 are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a kidney disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from various providers.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have rheumatoid arthritis or hypertension due to service, and these conditions are denied.

The Board found that rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim. The Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to her pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, and Grave's disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, is not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the obtaining of treatment records.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities has been granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective June 19, 2012.

The Veteran's claimed rheumatoid arthritis was not shown to have had its onset during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service. The Board finds that service connection for rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulders, elbows, hands, and ankles cannot be granted.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the lack of VA treatment records, including from the Salisbury VAMC. The Veteran's claim for reopening his rheumatoid arthritis service connection is being remanded.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint arthritis, a lung disease, and a disability manifested by chronic fatigue. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and right shoulder disability. The claim was also denied for TDIU prior to February 16, 2012.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not shown to be related to service or any incident therein, and the Board found no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's lung disorders, including rheumatoid nodules and pulmonary vascular disease, are not related to his military service or any in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied.