Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and theories of causation, including service connection for various disabilities allegedly related to poisoning during service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule appropriate VA examinations, and consider the Veteran's claims in light of his reported exposures.

The Board has found that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is etiologically related to his active duty service. The claims for COPD and asbestosis are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's SNPA is not proximately caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately caused by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and stroke residuals are being remanded for further examination to determine if they were caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset in service, is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability, and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and Graves' disease. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for 'undifferentiated' seronegative rheumatoid arthritis has been withdrawn. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches have been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance and at the housebound rate is denied as her need for aid and attendance is due to nonservice-connected disabilities, not service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims were denied across multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for existing disabilities. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination with a rheumatologist to address the nature and etiology of all joint disorders, including arthritis. The examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's disabilities have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the February 2005 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of changing the prior outcome. The Board also found that the Veteran's current back disorder is less likely than not related to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a lumbar spine disability. The claim for service connection for alopecia was reopened, but remains denied due to lack of evidence establishing a direct relationship with service or service-connected conditions. Service connection for metabolic syndrome is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling but not in excess of that level.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, also claimed as palindromic rheumatism and swollen joints. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his current inflammatory arthritis is at least as likely as not related to military service.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability since October 15, 2014 due to his service-connected conditions. The Board has granted this claim effective from that date.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic back disability present during active service or within one year after separation. The appellant's current back disability is not considered related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with HLA B-27 positive genetic status, and rheumatoid arthritis are not related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and TDIU due to lack of a current diagnosis for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as his inability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand rheumatoid arthritis did not have its onset within one year of service and is not otherwise related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.