Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability and rheumatoid arthritis did not have their onset or increase in severity during active duty, ACDUTRA, INACDUTRA, or due to injury during INACDUTRA. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung disease were not incurred or aggravated during his active service, nor are they related to any in-service injury or exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss with otitis media was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current level of hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for facial burns, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sinusitis, carpal tunnel syndrome (cervical radiculopathy), skin pruritus, rheumatoid arthritis with bone spurs of the right shoulder, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the appellant's claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' but concluded that he was not permanently incapable of self-support at the age of 18.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis was granted, with the effective date set at June 11, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted. His bilateral hearing loss was found to be related to his military service, rheumatoid arthritis and steroid acne are considered as resulting from or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, and the low back disability is rated higher than initially assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and hand/foot cold injuries are found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from non-small cell lung cancer, which is considered the principal cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and stomach/esophagus disorder, as well as to determine if any headaches or tinnitus are related to his service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim will also be readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, folliculitis, and sleep apnea as presumptively related to active duty in the Persian Gulf. The Veteran's claims for skin rash, flu-like symptoms, weight gain/loss, and chronic fatigue are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims, including obtaining VA and SSA records, conducting a psychiatric examination, and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis in the Veteran's neck or back, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran also raised a new theory of secondary service connection based on his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely developed rheumatoid arthritis during his military service, providing him with the benefit of the doubt.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the legs and rheumatoid and gouty arthritis as secondary to his service-connected bronchial asthma. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The appeal will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot and left foot have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, with a combined rating of 90 percent due to bilateral factor. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of her claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from her period of active service.

The Veteran's right hip disability, manifested by limited motion and pain, has been rated at the lowest possible level due to its current severity. The current rating of 10 percent is appropriate given his range of motion limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and jaundice is also denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.