Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2016

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a right shoulder disability in June 2012. The March 2016 VA examiner concluded that the appellant's right shoulder disorder was not incurred or aggravated by her periods of service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected feet disability prior to October 23, 2013, and higher than 10 percent effective October 23, 2013, has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders, knees, elbows, hands, feet, and neck was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active military service. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including updated VA examinations and further review of his medical records.

The Veteran's chronic joint disability, including rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney disease are found to be related to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service or service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his service connection, rating, and TDIU claims. The issues include increased ratings for back injury and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as a claim for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, tinnitus, and heart disorder were denied. The appeals are based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected rebound headaches are rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to their nature and frequency.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service. The case will be adjudicated on a direct basis as no presumption or secondary theory applies.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including for a new VA examination regarding arthritis other than rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's upper back disorder and arthritis claims are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current rheumatoid arthritis and related leg ulcers do not have a nexus to his military service, including any in-service ulcerations. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities affecting his upper extremities. Additionally, an SOC regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II will be issued.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, immune system disorder with mixed connective tissue disorder, lupus erythematous, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are not presumed to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for these conditions is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that they were incurred during service or due to herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis, was not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to in-service herbicide exposure or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated and found not to meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his TDIU claim was granted. Separate ratings were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his exposure to lead paint in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is not related to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for cataracts was also denied as there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and rheumatism, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete development, including failure to adjudicate certain referred issues. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.