Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2019

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disorder is granted. Effective dates are assigned for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for arthritis in the upper extremities and elevated cholesterol. The claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand, arm and shoulder in November 1970. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was also denied for thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, both related to rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The claim for PTSD is dismissed. The claim for major depressive disorder is granted. Claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are not rated higher than their current levels, with some issues remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The issues include arthritis of the body, hip replacement, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied. The Veteran's depression and right shoulder tendonitis with degenerative arthritis are both rated at their maximum levels, but the Veteran's headaches secondary to trauma do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, kidney disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss are inextricably intertwined with the above issues.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service and whether it was aggravated by his PTSD.,The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded because the examiner did not address the Veteran’s statements about symptoms during service and failed to consider private treatment records for a diagnosis in 2011.,The Veteran's sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea and upper respiratory disorder, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service and whether it was related to his rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for alcoholism, asbestosis, and rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure in service and current diagnoses.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis with mechanical arthritis, heart attack with thrombosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia as they are not related to active military service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU. The Board found no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand disability, right ankle disability, and hypertension. The Board also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 for rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of evidence showing VA negligence in treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema and generalized joint pain disorder (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis) due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.