Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to a March 1992 rating decision that incorrectly denied his initial claim for left hip disorder. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in this decision.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected inflammatory arthritis. However, his right and left hand disabilities are denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis has been rated at 40 percent since February 2007, with symptom combinations that more closely approximate a definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 times per year.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lymphoma has been dismissed. The claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis has been reopened, but the rating for left eye disability remains remanded due to new evidence and issues with service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for her right wrist, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of neurological impairment in the right wrist or a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in either ankle. The current disability ratings assigned under Diagnostic Codes 5215-8515 and 5271 are found to be appropriate.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a neurological disorder affecting his extremities apart from already service-connected radiculopathy of the lower extremities, which is attributable to military service. The numbness and tingling in the extremities are not caused or made worse by service-connected TMJ problems.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective from March 1, 2008. A separate rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is warranted prior to July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted. The claims for allergies, hearing loss, glaucoma, and rheumatoid arthritis and/or arthritis of the cervical spine, elbows, wrists, and hips have also been granted with appropriate ratings. Other claims were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative arthritis due to a lack of evidence showing continuity of symptoms since active duty.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, left hand, right hand, and left knee were evaluated based on their respective disabilities. The rating was granted for the left shoulder, wrists, hands, hips/thighs, and knees.

The Board found that the grants of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis involving the hands, wrists, and elbows, and limitation of motion of the right ankle associated with rheumatoid arthritis were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. As a result, the severance of these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate to support final appellate review and remands are necessary for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his rheumatoid arthritis. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD will be addressed separately.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was aggravated by his service, and the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from pancreatic cancer, which resulted in a denial of service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and denied the claim.

The Veteran's spouse has been diagnosed with several conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, essential tremors, osteoarthritis requiring knee replacement and high blood pressure. The Board finds that the evidence shows she requires regular aid and attendance due to her disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and an examination to evaluate the nature and etiology of the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and right shoulder disorder.