Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to missing evidence and a need for additional VA examinations. The Veteran's neck disability, including radiculopathy symptoms in the upper extremities, and head injury residuals are on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disability and concluded that it was less likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the evidence did not establish current conditions or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and right knee osteoarthritis are not related to her service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or chronicity.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of its manifestation during service, and the April 2013 VA examiner opined that it is unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including verification of in-service stressors and evaluation of current psychiatric disorders, left leg disability, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism.

The Board found that rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands and wrists was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and did not manifest within one year of service discharge. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is service-connected as it was related to pre-service stressors. The condition did not worsen during service.,Rheumatoid arthritis is not service connected as there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service separation.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis has been rated based on the criteria for limitation of motion and is currently assigned a 20 percent rating. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his rheumatoid arthritis and parathyroidism.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a rheumatoid arthritis examination and opinion that addresses all periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA). The issues of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and to obtain updated medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is pending.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% likelihood the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service, including spinal meningitis and restless leg syndrome. The bilateral foot disability is also considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his hip and sacroiliac spine conditions have been denied due to lack of evidence showing that any condition warrants a higher rating than the current 10 percent evaluations. The Board found no ankylosis or other compensable limitation in motion, and thus could not grant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current multiple joint complaints, including reactive arthritis and tinnitus, are related to service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current radiculopathy of the lower extremities and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence of record linking the Veteran's claimed conditions to his military service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease, contact dermatitis (claimed as concrete poisoning), depression, essential tremors of the hands, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The decision also addressed a claim for right total hip arthroplasty but found no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or earlier effective date.