Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, rendered him unable to care for his daily needs, requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his cervical spine, lumbar spine, left wrist, and mandible fracture disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right foot drop, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Board found that the Veteran's current right foot drop is more likely a manifestation of his service-connected diabetes-related neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and associated neuropathy of the lower extremities did not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 10, 2010.

The claim to reopen service connection for PTSD is granted, and the claim for service connection for PTSD itself is also granted. The claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and osteoporosis due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. Additional opinions are needed from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for clarification regarding the Veteran's ability to perform 'medium work' despite his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his knee disability due to insufficient examination results, lack of proper testing, and need for additional evidence. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and his nose injury residuals are unrelated to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's COPD is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s cervical spine (neck) disability is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s lumbar spine (low back) disability is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s rheumatoid arthritis is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of acute febrile illness, and his left lower extremity scarring due to MRSA infection is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s sleep disability (OSA and chronic insomnia) is subsumed under his service-connected PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is denied as not related to his service, specifically the toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA examiner found no relationship between the Veteran's current RA and the exposure.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2020. The Board also granted eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and lumbar and sacral disc degeneration and arthritis, have resulted in loss of use of his lower extremities. As a result, he is eligible for specially adapted housing assistance. However, his claim for special home adaptation grant has been denied as moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the left wrist and fingers, including rheumatoid arthritis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is being remanded due to the need for an SSOC.

The Board denied service connection for gout with rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of diagnoses.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease and joint disease is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has remanded this issue due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the condition warrants an increased evaluation. For his TDIU claim since May 18, 2011, the Veteran meets the requirements as he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation of his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The reasons include the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.