Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the February 2005 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of changing the prior outcome. The Board also found that the Veteran's current back disorder is less likely than not related to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a lumbar spine disability. The claim for service connection for alopecia was reopened, but remains denied due to lack of evidence establishing a direct relationship with service or service-connected conditions. Service connection for metabolic syndrome is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling but not in excess of that level.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, also claimed as palindromic rheumatism and swollen joints. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his current inflammatory arthritis is at least as likely as not related to military service.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability since October 15, 2014 due to his service-connected conditions. The Board has granted this claim effective from that date.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic back disability present during active service or within one year after separation. The appellant's current back disability is not considered related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with HLA B-27 positive genetic status, and rheumatoid arthritis are not related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and TDIU due to lack of a current diagnosis for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as his inability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand rheumatoid arthritis did not have its onset within one year of service and is not otherwise related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, which is the highest available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative disc disease was granted.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for increased rating of the thoracolumbar spine disability, including myofascial syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease, is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis for the entirety of the appeal period. The claim for increased rating in excess of 10 percent is denied as there are no findings of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of lumbar strain with intervertebral disc disease, right leg radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are rated at 40 percent from September 13, 2016. The claim for a higher initial rating is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right leg radiculopathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, or right ankle and bilateral leg disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence did not show constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement which are totally incapacitating, thus preventing a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot disability, right foot disability, and generalized arthritis (gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis) have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues during a July 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 7, 2010. The combined rating was less than 70% and none of her conditions were rated at 60%. She worked through 2009 and had limitations due to her disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hepatitis (claimed as liver disorder), lung disorder, heart disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The decision found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for rheumatoid arthritis with residuals of the elbows, hands, and feet due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The issue of service connection for a right eye disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, irritable bowel syndrome, a cervical spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and PTSD are denied. The evidence does not support these claims.