Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis is not related to her active service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied all claims, including those for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and organic diseases of the nervous system (other than already service-connected tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss). The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability was also denied. No effective date earlier than May 29, 2013 for SMC benefits is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing at the local RO. The issues of service connection and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, knees, ankles, and feet was granted service connection based on its relationship to his service-connected rheumatic valvular heart disease. The heart disorder issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the service connection of his left hip disability, including whether it is secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis affecting the bilateral knees was rated at 40 percent prior to November 26, 2008. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence showed a slight limitation in range of motion and no incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder, both claimed as rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,For the period from February 7, 2008 to April 2, 2008, the Veteran did not have any source of income qualifying him for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and therefore, his service connection claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, and is otherwise unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and is not a disability presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides. The Board also found that rheumatoid arthritis was not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and records to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, a bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disability, tendonitis, bursitis, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected history of rheumatic fever was withdrawn. The claim for secondary service connection for anxiety is denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected depression is denied. The claim for a compensable rating for service-connected Bell's palsy is denied.

The Veteran's appeals were denied, with the exception of GERD with hiatal hernia and pancreatitis issues which are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's condition can be attributed to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic arthrosis of the right foot, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied. The Veteran's current disabilities are rated based on their functional impact.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 31, 2009. The appeal for rheumatoid arthritis was denied.