Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes mellitus due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and rheumatoid arthritis have been reopened. The new evidence submitted includes medical opinions linking the conditions to a service-connected disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and the claims for TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective December 3, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet or hands, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip during the appeal period. Therefore, he is not eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of headaches due to inadequate compliance with previous directives, need for a VA examination related to TERA exposure, and need for an opinion regarding the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to readjudicate his service connection claim for rheumatoid arthritis because no new and relevant evidence was submitted since the February 2024 Board Decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for eligibility under the PCAFC program due to his ability to perform activities of daily living and lack of need for personal care services.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for compensation was correctly calculated at 40 percent from November 15, 2020. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, but denied housebound status and SMC for TBI residuals.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the downstream issue of assigning initial ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.,Effective May 18, 2009, separate ratings are granted for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a recurrent multi-joint and muscle disability, including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or secondary to service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination/medical opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions. The Veteran was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service and has current diagnoses of sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, hypertension, and GERD.

The appeal for service connection for a neck condition, including claims of neck rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis of the cervical spine, is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for compensation due to rheumatoid arthritis under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied as the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.,The Veteran's claim for compensation due to anemia under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded for further development and consideration.