Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his left knee disability and hypothyroidism. The Board finds a need to obtain clarification of the etiology of the Veteran’s reported symptoms and their relationship, if any, to his disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issues of increased evaluation for lumbar disc herniation at L4-S1 and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from retaining substantially gainful employment as of January 12, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand, finding that it was not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for RA of the right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, right ankle, and left ankle are all denied. A separate 10% rating is granted for RA of the right hand. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU prior to October 3, 2014 were also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, rheumatoid arthritis, immune system condition (multiple infections), enlarged prostate, testicle condition, and eye condition. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for scleroderma, neck disability, and rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disorder is granted. Effective dates are assigned for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for arthritis in the upper extremities and elevated cholesterol. The claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand, arm and shoulder in November 1970. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was also denied for thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, both related to rheumatoid arthritis.

The claim for PTSD is dismissed. The claim for major depressive disorder is granted. Claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The issues include arthritis of the body, hip replacement, and TDIU.

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are not rated higher than their current levels, with some issues remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service and whether it was aggravated by his PTSD.,The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded because the examiner did not address the Veteran’s statements about symptoms during service and failed to consider private treatment records for a diagnosis in 2011.,The Veteran's sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea and upper respiratory disorder, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service and whether it was related to his rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for alcoholism, asbestosis, and rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure in service and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, kidney disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss are inextricably intertwined with the above issues.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied. The Veteran's depression and right shoulder tendonitis with degenerative arthritis are both rated at their maximum levels, but the Veteran's headaches secondary to trauma do not warrant an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU. The Board found no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis with mechanical arthritis, heart attack with thrombosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia as they are not related to active military service.