Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's mother is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to service-connected disability, as SMC in this context is limited to a surviving parent. The criteria for SMC are not met.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since May 15, 2009. The Veteran has not met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for both his heart disability and arthritic condition claims. The Board found no current diagnosis of a heart disability, and the Veteran did not have an arthritic disorder that began during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection and granted them, finding that new and material evidence was received. Service connection is established for bilateral pes planus, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right and left foot equinus deformities, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. Rheumatoid arthritis is not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is denied. The appeal does not involve a determination regarding service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for rheumatoid arthritis.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's gout is less likely as not caused by cold feet sensation in service. The Veteran was diagnosed with primary hypertension after discharge from service, and it is less likely related to service due to eclampsia resolution post-delivery of a baby in 1983.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for hypertension.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including residuals of left femur fracture with arthritis of the left hip and knee. The appeal will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or vision of both eyes. Therefore, she is not eligible for automotive and/or specially adapted equipment.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year of his military service. The current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a chronic disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor is there evidence to support a presumption of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, was not incurred in or due to his active service and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reconsidered with consideration of Dr. C.H.'s submissions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, effective as of April 30, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder, finding no current disability. However, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as her combined rating of 90% supports this decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and myalgia, is related to his period of active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for urinary incontinence and denied for presbyopia. The remaining issues are addressed below.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, as well as his requests for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for rheumatoid arthritis cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and no competent medical evidence suggesting a relationship to military service. The skin cancer issue remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand, wrist, foot, and left foot disabilities have been rated based on the criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. The ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral arm and hand conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.