Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his cervical spine, lumbar spine, left wrist, and mandible fracture disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right foot drop, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely related to his diabetes-related neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis than to any in-service injury. The decision also noted that the Veteran has other service-connected conditions (rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus type II) which already include foot drop.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and associated neuropathy of the lower extremities did not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 10, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic retinopathy are denied. The claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted, but the claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, nummular eczema, and erectile dysfunction remain pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and osteoporosis due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. Additional opinions are needed from a VA examiner.

The claim to reopen service connection for PTSD is granted, and the claim for service connection for PTSD itself is also granted. The claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for clarification regarding the Veteran's ability to perform 'medium work' despite his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his knee disability due to insufficient examination results, lack of proper testing, and need for additional evidence. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and his nose injury residuals are unrelated to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's COPD is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s cervical spine (neck) disability is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s lumbar spine (low back) disability is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s rheumatoid arthritis is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of acute febrile illness, and his left lower extremity scarring due to MRSA infection is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s sleep disability (OSA and chronic insomnia) is subsumed under his service-connected PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is denied as not related to his service, specifically the toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA examiner found no relationship between the Veteran's current RA and the exposure.

The Board denied service connection for gout with rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus to service.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2020. The Board also granted eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the left wrist and fingers, including rheumatoid arthritis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is being remanded due to the need for an SSOC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in loss of use of his lower extremities, requiring him to use a cane or wheelchair for locomotion. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing assistance but not for a special home adaptation grant.