Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, rating increases, and TDIU. The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including issuing a Statement of the Case on earlier effective dates and scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, cervical spine disorder, and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased rating for PUD, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, and service connection for psychiatric disorders are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant in a June 2017 letter, and therefore no further action is required.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, chronic foot infection, and rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence now supports these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to comply with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and cataracts are being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-operative small bowel obstruction and found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current hand and finger problems, including rheumatoid arthritis and gout, were not caused or aggravated by VA treatment. The Board finds no additional disability resulting from such treatment.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling from July 1, 2008 to December 11, 2014. Effective December 11, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of separate 10 percent ratings for right and left wrist rheumatoid arthritis, as well as for right hand and left hand rheumatoid arthritis with painful motion of specific fingers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, and for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for gout of both hands and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the evidence did not show a relationship to service.,Both conditions were determined to be unrelated to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, left lower extremity has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of multiple joints, are not service-connected. The right ankle condition is service-connected due to in-service trauma, but other joint conditions are not considered service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by her active duty and is not related to her service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 5, 2007. As such, an earlier effective date for the TDIU rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received after the last adjudication.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to a period of active duty training.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or recurrent infections that are related to his active military service. The evidence shows that he was diagnosed with these conditions after separation from service.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that his forward flexion is limited to as low as 25 degrees during flare-ups. The decision also notes that there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and work history.