Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and denied his claims for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim, but did not find a causal relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's gout of the left ankle and bilateral feet, as well as his radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the hands, knees, hips, and back is being remanded due to an error in how his previous claims were handled.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to her service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis resulted in limited motion and extension of the right and left arms, as well as fingers. The VA denied compensable ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss, initial increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of delayed treatment for blood poisoning.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back and hand disorders, as well as the issue of whether a reduction in SMC was proper, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the ankles and feet. The Veteran was previously granted a 10 percent evaluation for her service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, but she now seeks higher evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation based on Aid and Attendance due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, anemia (secondary to hysterectomy), and anatomical loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information regarding stressor events. The Veteran's conditions are being evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied as no new and material evidence had been submitted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted, with the condition being related to military service.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a skin disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for liver disease is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and pancreatitis, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or within one year thereafter, and there was no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent, effective January 31, 2019. The rating for PTSD was increased to 100 percent effective March 20, 2015. The ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were restored from zero percent to 10 percent each, effective April 1, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and residuals of dental trauma.,There was no evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, including any related streptococcic arthritis, is at least as likely as not due to his active service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to further development being necessary, including obtaining STRs and private medical records. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to render him materially less capable of resisting his heart disease, which caused his death.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the Veteran's claimed symptoms were not related to his military service and did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is being evaluated to determine if it is related to in-service complaints or symptoms.