Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for various service connection grants, including those related to coronary artery disease with valvular heart disease and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The issues were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to incomplete records and need for updated opinions from VA examiners regarding the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during active service.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and denied entitlement to an increased rating for DDD of the lumbosacral spine.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was rated at 20 percent effective August 29, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep disability, left ankle disability, arthritis of the left ankle, and hypertension/PTSD. The right ankle fracture residuals were granted a 10% rating with an effective date of July 31, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has denied all service connection claims except for the reopening of a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because she has a combined 100 percent schedular rating for rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions, making her unemployability due to service-connected disabilities moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has decided to remand these cases back to VA for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various arthritic conditions, hypertension, diverticulitis, and diabetes mellitus type II due to outstanding treatment records and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The case is remanded for further examination regarding rheumatoid arthritis.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis remains pending as a new examination is required.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle arthritis. The effective dates were not established as the issues are referred to the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left carpal tunnel syndrome. The cervical spondylosis claim is remanded for an addendum opinion to address whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected low back strain, and if so, whether it also caused or aggravated any other conditions listed in the issues section.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and exposure history.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings for her bilateral lower extremity rheumatoid arthritis, right and left heel disorders, and right and left knee disorders. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions, as well as their severity.