Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, basic eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, and entitlement to service-connected VA burial benefits are not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for further medical development and adjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board found no evidence of Reiter's syndrome during service or after, and concluded that the veteran does not have this condition. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to support it.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the issuance of a final decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and low back disability, finding them not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current conditions to military service, and also denied a higher evaluation for his nasal septum disability. The issue of reopening the claim for rheumatoid arthritis was granted.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine and rheumatoid arthritis involving the sacroiliac joints was granted, with a maximum rating of 60 percent for DDD and no compensable rating for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of active rheumatoid arthritis or significant joint damage, and his service-connected conditions do not interfere with normal employability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and feet, but denied any increase in disability ratings.