Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis involving multiple joints was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia is reopened based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran, but the issue remains pending as it has not been decided on its merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including medications prescribed for such disabilities, have caused or aggravated his hypertension. As a result, the Board finds that he is entitled to SMC based on aid and attendance of another person.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the lower right extremity, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on the evidence presented.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral calcaneal spurs, and bilateral plantar calcaneal spurs. Service connection for RA is denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation, PCBs, refrigerator solvents and asbestos. Therefore, service connection for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined effects medical opinion and consideration of all evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity of the condition and that it is not otherwise related to service-connected CAD or diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Veteran has been assigned a single disability rating that is at least 60 percent disabling. Therefore, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis has resulted in severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring four or more times a year since April 17, 2005.,Resolving reasonable doubt in his favor, the Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and theories of causation, including service connection for various disabilities allegedly related to poisoning during service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule appropriate VA examinations, and consider the Veteran's claims in light of his reported exposures.

The Board has found that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is etiologically related to his active duty service. The claims for COPD and asbestosis are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's SNPA is not proximately caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately caused by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and stroke residuals are being remanded for further examination to determine if they were caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset in service, is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability, and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and Graves' disease. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for 'undifferentiated' seronegative rheumatoid arthritis has been withdrawn. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches have been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance and at the housebound rate is denied as her need for aid and attendance is due to nonservice-connected disabilities, not service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims were denied across multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for existing disabilities. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination with a rheumatologist to address the nature and etiology of all joint disorders, including arthritis. The examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's disabilities have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.