Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was at least as likely as not aggravated by her service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to eligibility issues for being a substitute appellant, and the service connection claims will be reconsidered based on this determination.

The Veteran's rating for rheumatoid arthritis was restored from a reduced 40% to the original 60%. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis affecting his hips and hands. The low back disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lay statements indicating that he was diagnosed with polyarthritis in service are not supported by the medical evidence, and thus does not meet the second element of service connection (in-service event, injury or disease). As such, service connection for the claimed disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding issues related to PTSD and nervous condition, as well as scheduling another Board videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back condition and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need to obtain his service treatment records and any relevant private medical records. Additionally, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if the Veteran's current rheumatoid arthritis is causally or etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue are related to the Veteran's military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the service connection claims for pancreatitis and rheumatoid arthritis, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service. The other claims are not addressed as they were not adjudicated by the Board.

The Veteran's arthritis, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, did not have its clinical onset during a period of active service and is not otherwise related to active duty service.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), did not have its clinical onset during a period of active service and is not otherwise related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to service connection for arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and left kidney cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status due to his other service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his lung diseases and exposure to asbestos or carbon dioxide. The claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was previously denied and has not been reopened.

The Board granted service connection for major depression with PTSD and assigned a 50% disability rating effective October 31, 2008. Service connection was also granted for rheumatoid arthritis and/or osteoarthritis of the feet, hands, ankles, wrists, hips, and shoulders. The effective dates were not specified as they are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his case is evaluated on an extraschedular basis due to unemployability caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent. The effective date for this rating has been set as November 30, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of service connection for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and rashes and slow healing sores due to an undiagnosed illness (also claimed as a skin condition) has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of adequate reasons and bases for its denial of an increased rating for left hip disability, as well as issues regarding service connection and TDIU.