Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is not rated for extraschedular purposes, and his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is dismissed as he did not complete the necessary application form.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis did not contribute to his death from congestive heart failure and diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and to address service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as rating for low back strain with osteoarthritic changes.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate efforts by VA to obtain private treatment records and an insufficient VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to ionizing radiation and sunlight during active duty. The case will be referred back to the Under Secretary of Health for a dose estimate, and then to the Under Secretary for Benefits for an opinion on whether the Veteran’s conditions are related to his claimed exposures.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for Scheuermann’s disease due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition. The radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also granted as secondary to the service-connected Scheuermann’s disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and lay statements regarding the onset of various conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and sinus infections due to insufficient evidence of a causal link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The reasons for this are that the most recent VA examination report is inadequate in several aspects.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, increases in the staged ratings of his lumbar spine disability, and initial increases in the staged ratings of radiculopathy left lower extremity. The Board has remanded these issues.,Service connection was granted for radiculopathy left lower extremity secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to unresolved issues, including lack of ankylosis in the spine. The Veteran's back disability remains rated at 60%.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left foot conditions due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, with a separate 10 percent rating for his right hand disability. The decision also remanded several issues related to other disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis, gouty arthritis, and others. The claims were not granted on a presumptive basis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and hypothyroidism due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine the current severity of his disabilities, including range of motion studies and assessment of flare-ups.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease, and hypertension. The claim of service connection for fibromyalgia is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied because he did not meet the criteria for SMC, as his service-connected PTSD alone did not result in permanent confinement to his home or bed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was denied. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, linked to PTSD, was also denied.