Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 1, 2008, for the grant of separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted. Effective from November 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, service connection, and benefits related to various conditions. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development of Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim of service connection for a disability manifested by painful joints, claimed as rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD with alcohol abuse and service connection for hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that no formal or informal claim was received within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, as well as a review of his metatarsalgia claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and for a compensable rating for tinea pedis and onychomycosis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule. The Board also noted that there was no service connection established for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness and was not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing evidence and a need for additional VA examinations. The Veteran's neck disability, including radiculopathy symptoms in the upper extremities, and head injury residuals are on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disability and concluded that it was less likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the evidence did not establish current conditions or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and right knee osteoarthritis are not related to her service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or chronicity.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of its manifestation during service, and the April 2013 VA examiner opined that it is unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including verification of in-service stressors and evaluation of current psychiatric disorders, left leg disability, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism.

The Board found that rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands and wrists was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and did not manifest within one year of service discharge. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is service-connected as it was related to pre-service stressors. The condition did not worsen during service.,Rheumatoid arthritis is not service connected as there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service separation.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis has been rated based on the criteria for limitation of motion and is currently assigned a 20 percent rating. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his rheumatoid arthritis and parathyroidism.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a rheumatoid arthritis examination and opinion that addresses all periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA). The issues of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and to obtain updated medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is pending.