Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence demonstrating the presence or onset of the claimed conditions prior to February 16, 2016.,An effective date prior to February 16, 2016, was not granted as there is no indication that radiculopathy or a right knee disorder existed before this date.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and high blood pressure due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The request to reopen the finally disallowed claims of service connection for hypertension and PFS of the right knee, as well as for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, to include the elbows, hands, feet, right knee, and fingers, are all granted. However, the claim for an increased rating for PFS of the left knee with Baker's cyst is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current disabilities to service, except for hypertension which was not shown in service or within one year of separation.

The application to reopen a claim for rheumatoid arthritis is denied. The claim for joint pain as an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness and the claim for chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted. The appeal regarding rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine osteoarthritis with degenerative disc disease was denied prior to August 12, 2016. From August 12, 2016 to October 27, 2016, he received a 20% rating for the condition. After that date, his claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected rheumatic fever with heart involvement and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the back, hips, wrists and ankles, a left rotator cuff injury, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis of both thumbs, a hiatal hernia, fungus, left great toe and subsequent surgery, and cellulitis, left thigh have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, status-post total hip replacement; chronic right wrist pain; degenerative arthritis of the left hip, including as secondary to nonservice-connected disability of the right hip; flat feet; hepatitis C; residuals of venereal disease (including herpes); and erectile dysfunction have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, right hip, and left knee as secondary to service-connected right knee disability due to a lack of an opinion addressing whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if there is current treatment for the right knee and to assess its etiology. The lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to June 8, 2016 and in excess of 50% thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for RA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was granted on February 1, 1995. The effective date is set to February 1, 1995.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there is at least as likely as not a relationship between his in-service symptoms and current condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is granted. The evidence shows the Veteran is currently unemployed and unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.