Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of his death (respiratory failure due to pneumonia) is not linked to his military service. The Veteran did not require aid and attendance solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of engaging in sedentary employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability associated with a left knee strain, including arthritis of the hip and pelvis and a left hip strain, is granted. The effective date will be determined based on when entitlement to this benefit arose.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development including obtaining medical records, scheduling VA examinations for her left knee and left hip disabilities, and reviewing the claims file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability and increased rating for his right shoulder disability. The Veteran's left shoulder condition is not related to service or service-connected conditions, while his right shoulder disability warrants no more than a 20 percent rating since February 26, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for obesity, claimed as secondary to a service-connected back disability due to additional development being needed.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the elbows, and degenerative arthritis of the knees as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is presumed to have been caused by exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The remaining conditions are being remanded for further examination and determination of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, rating increases, and TDIU. The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including issuing a Statement of the Case on earlier effective dates and scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, cervical spine disorder, and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased rating for PUD, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, and service connection for psychiatric disorders are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant in a June 2017 letter, and therefore no further action is required.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, chronic foot infection, and rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence now supports these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to comply with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and cataracts are being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-operative small bowel obstruction and found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current hand and finger problems, including rheumatoid arthritis and gout, were not caused or aggravated by VA treatment. The Board finds no additional disability resulting from such treatment.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling from July 1, 2008 to December 11, 2014. Effective December 11, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of separate 10 percent ratings for right and left wrist rheumatoid arthritis, as well as for right hand and left hand rheumatoid arthritis with painful motion of specific fingers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, and for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for gout of both hands and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the evidence did not show a relationship to service.,Both conditions were determined to be unrelated to military service.