Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s disease, scleroderma, and a respiratory disorder (COPD) as the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder, diagnosed as tendonitis, myofascial pain syndrome and trochanteric bursitis. The Veteran's current right hip disorder is found to have its onset during active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection for psychiatric disabilities, digestive disabilities (diarrhea and constipation), groin pain, and erectile dysfunction is also being remanded.

The Veteran's TMJ and sleep apnea claims are granted, with the latter being secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disability. Other secondary service connection claims for various conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran may have been exposed to herbicides in Okinawa, but did not find sufficient evidence linking his current condition to this exposure.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and enlarged prostate due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was denied as there is no established link between these conditions and the alleged exposure.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, vision disability (cataracts), and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is remanded.,A TDIU application has been raised by the record.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to incomplete records. The Veteran's claims for arthritis, vertigo, hemorrhoids, anemia, psoriasis, and a skin condition are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of various joints and peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy. These include shoulder, spine, hip, knee conditions as well as bilateral lower extremity conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever is denied. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination regarding the heart disability, and an audiometric evaluation of the right ear.

The Veteran's left index finger disability has been granted a 10% rating. The appeal for service connection of radiculopathy of the upper extremity is remanded due to need for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's heart condition, vision loss, back conditions, lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spinal stenosis, right hip condition, kidney failure, arthritis, fibromyalgia, shoulder pain, varicose veins, carpal tunnel syndrome, and restless leg syndrome are all related to service exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination for each issue.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and mild recurrent major depressive disorder, with moderate generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are all related to service exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination for each issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development, including a lack of an opinion from a foot specialist. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA examination by a podiatrist or appropriate specialist to assess the current nature and severity of his residuals of a fractured left great toe.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including amyloid myopathy (also claimed as polymyositis), COPD, foot drop, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and spine disorders. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during active service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 8, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's kidney disability, diagnosed as chronic kidney disease, is granted. The bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to service. Service connection for gout and endocarditis are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is likely based on the diagnosis of gouty arthritis.

The Board has remanded 10 issues related to tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, and various forms of rheumatoid arthritis due to the lack of service treatment records. The RO is instructed to attempt to locate these records through multiple avenues.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether rheumatoid arthritis was caused by or aggravated by any service-connected conditions, including residuals of a left femur fracture with arthritis of the left hip and knee. The examiner must consider the Veteran's military service, post-service symptoms, and the opinions provided in the record.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, a back condition, Raynaud’s symptoms, and idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and a seizure disorder as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.