Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands, Raynaud’s syndrome, anemia, a cervical strain and erectile dysfunction have been granted.,Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions on a direct basis. The Board found no medical evidence or opinion linking these disabilities to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand disorders (polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis) due to exposure to cold weather during active duty in Korea. The decision is based on the benefit of doubt.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbosacral spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since May 4, 2015.

The Board dismissed the appeals to reopen service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematous, and Sjogren's/xerostomia due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist disorder, claimed as rheumatoid arthritis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions separate from the Veteran's already service-connected left wrist dislocation with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, lupus, syncope disorder, venous thrombosis, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, and a heart disorder, all of which were deemed not related to the appellant's period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric conditions, arthritis, head injury residuals, neck condition, and bone spurs.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis in upper extremities, and osteoarthritis in lower extremities due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease with levoscoliosis and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The rating for lumbar strain was not granted as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The restoration of 60% disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from September 1, 2016 was also denied.

The TDIU claim is being held in abeyance until the claims for psychiatric disability and radiculopathy are finally decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and kidney disability (renal toxicity), finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequacies in the rationale provided for the direct service connection etiological opinion and because of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran regarding a possible relationship between her service-connected asthma and her claimed rheumatoid arthritis. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied service connection for diverticulosis, back condition, neck condition, and endometriosis as the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service.