Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are insufficient medical records to establish service connection for some conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disability (including asthma) and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that exposure to asbestos and MEK during military service is at least as likely as not related to these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA medical records and considering the issue on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be related to his military service, and thus granted.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown during service or post-service, and is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, and rheumatoid arthritis (claimed as radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity), have contributed to his need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC at the (l) level based on the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for a left shoulder disability and an arthritis disability (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis).

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding multiple joint arthritis, including the back, bilateral hips, and bilateral knees. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypertension are being remanded due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum opinions from an appropriate clinician that address the etiology of each condition, including consideration of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for COPD, bilateral shoulder conditions, Peyronie's disease, skin cancer, right heel disability, peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities, entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals of a rib fracture, and earlier effective date prior to February 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for a rib fracture residual were dismissed. The Veteran's esophageal stricture was granted with a 50% disability rating. Service connection for coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis of the right wrist, and bilateral knees was also granted.

Service connection for RA and DM is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for PN related to DM is also granted. PTSD is rated at the current level of disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's autoimmune disease, specifically rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The VA examiner was requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's autoimmune disease had its onset during or is otherwise etiologically related to active-duty service.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and vitiligo, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or any event, injury, or disease during service.,The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was found not secondary to diabetes mellitus and not otherwise related to an in-service event. The skin disability, vitiligo, was also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.,The Veteran's hypertension and atrial fibrillation with congestive heart failure are granted secondary service connection due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.,The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, right hip condition, and left hip condition do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for PTSD and a higher rating for an appendectomy scar. The claim of service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to June 5, 2017 is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring physician prescribed bed rest.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims include service connection for various arthritic conditions and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rheumatoid arthritis, a recurrent sleep disorder, and a lumbar spine disability as well as the claim for TDIU due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.