Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis and TDIU, finding that his disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating. The veteran was currently evaluated at 40 percent disabling due to rheumatoid arthritis alone.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for cholecystitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, a goiter, gastric ulcer and rheumatoid arthritis. The RO found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service medical records and a VA examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured right ankle.

The Board has held the issue of TDIU in abeyance due to pending claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of left knee, ankle, or hip disorders. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis is not currently confirmed in her case. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the right hip is secondary to his service-connected right knee impairment with arthritis, and granted this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or a nexus to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints and arthritis of the cervical spine, with radiculopathy. The currently assigned ratings are found to be appropriate based on the schedular criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nodular rheumatoid arthritis and increased disability evaluations for trench foot and cold injury residuals, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection is well grounded and must be considered on a de novo basis. The evidence supports the veteran's contention that his current cervical spine degenerative disc disease is related to an injury sustained during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, stress fractures of both lower extremities, a back disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and his period of active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 31, 1991 for a rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis. The decision stated that there was no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to June 13, 1994.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a bilateral hand disorder, including rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and determined that new evidence supports this claim. However, it was not established that the condition had its onset in service or due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection in both cases, finding that the claims were not received within one year of separation from service or prior to the liberalizing law's effective date.

The Board found that the veteran does not have active rheumatic fever or any chronic joint residuals, and thus denied a compensable rating for his joint residuals of rheumatic fever.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is service-connected as secondary to his right knee disability. The claim for an increased evaluation of the right knee disability is also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis preexisted his second period of active service and was aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.