Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, resulting from an injury during service, was incurred or aggravated by active service. Additionally, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for benefits under 38 C.F.R. � 3.815 and 38 C.F.R. � 3.814 as she does not have a manifestation of spina bifida, which is required to qualify for these benefits.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The Board has decided that additional development, including obtaining medical records and an examination, is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including foot disability, rheumatoid arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus (Type II), have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and her military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to properly adjudicate the service connection claims for lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic thyroiditis (also claimed as Hashimoto's disease).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification from Dr. Timmons regarding his January 2012 examination findings, and for additional development concerning the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background prior to August 29, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, rheumatoid arthritis, swelling under the arms and of the neck, and hypertension are not shown to be related to service.,Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board granted effective dates of June 4, 1999 for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis involving multiple joints was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia is reopened based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran, but the issue remains pending as it has not been decided on its merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including medications prescribed for such disabilities, have caused or aggravated his hypertension. As a result, the Board finds that he is entitled to SMC based on aid and attendance of another person.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the lower right extremity, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on the evidence presented.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral calcaneal spurs, and bilateral plantar calcaneal spurs. Service connection for RA is denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation, PCBs, refrigerator solvents and asbestos. Therefore, service connection for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined effects medical opinion and consideration of all evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity of the condition and that it is not otherwise related to service-connected CAD or diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Veteran has been assigned a single disability rating that is at least 60 percent disabling. Therefore, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis has resulted in severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring four or more times a year since April 17, 2005.,Resolving reasonable doubt in his favor, the Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.