Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints was denied by the Board, as it is not shown to be manifested by constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement that are totally incapacitating; nor is it shown to be manifested by ankylosis or limitation of motion in any joint.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right foot and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is service-connected, while his rheumatoid arthritis is not.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before the Board.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain a supplemental opinion from the examiner who conducted the January 2010 VA examination.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's request for a spare motorized wheelchair is denied as there is no unusual circumstance to justify one.

The Veteran's heart disability is not manifested by more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure; a workload of greater than three METs but not greater than five METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent. As such, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for rheumatoid heart disease with mitral insufficiency is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteopenia have been evaluated based on their combined effect. The claims for higher initial ratings for various joints are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's spinal disease and arthritis of multiple joints did not manifest within one year after service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, right ear injury, blurred vision and inability to walk, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disability, cardiovascular disability (including heart valve replacement), and bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to cardiac catheterizations was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection have been denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim is December 22, 1998.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at St. Mary Medical Center from February 13, 2005 to February 15, 2005 is denied as the services were not rendered in a 'medical emergency' and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service and are not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's orthopedic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteopenia, are not related to his active service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, diffuse arthritis of the bilateral feet, and diffuse ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine with sclerosis of both sacroiliac joints.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for rheumatoid arthritis, multiple joints was denied as there is no evidence of the condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability (status-post hip replacement), and lumbar spine disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis should be remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and a medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for schizophrenia and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.