Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his incarceration, and also because of the inextricability with other service-connected disabilities. The specific issues are related to rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, initial ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and TDIU from July 1, 2007, to May 10, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating. The cases of right heel spurs and left heel spurs are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the condition had its onset during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and review of his claims, including the need for a VA mental health examination and an evaluation of his arthritis claim.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for chronic headaches and arthritis, bilateral hands was denied as the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for hepatitis C, bilateral vision issues, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer were also denied due to lack of material evidence addressing the service connection elements of in-service incurrence or nexus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claims for Meniere’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease/Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include generalized anxiety disorder), cirrhosis of the liver, a left shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity are all remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a heart disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim of hypertension is denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The claims of OSA, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, left hand and right hand disabilities, and left knee disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA). The case is being returned for further development, including an examination to determine if rheumatoid arthritis had its onset during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain and diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a link to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for asthma was remanded.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right leg condition and TDIU, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from October 18, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Board has remanded two cases: one for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative change of the left knee and another for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the left hip. The reasons are that the most recent VA examinations did not fully address reports of flare-ups and their resulting additional functional impairment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for consideration of whether entitlement to an extra-schedular TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the Veteran’s claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; an initial higher (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss; and entitlement to a TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is sufficient to grant special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the feet, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and a respiratory disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's private treatment records are also incomplete, and additional requests for these records must be made.