Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2004

The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was attributed to lung cancer. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice in order to determine if there is a relationship between the veteran's x-ray therapy during service and his fatal lung cancer.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, macular degeneration of both eyes, and prostate disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for clarification of the diagnosis and etiology of rheumatoid arthritis of the right foot, as well as compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link between his current condition and active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance is remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ptosis of the left eye and rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, finding no competent medical evidence supporting these conditions or linking them to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, of multiple joints including the lumbar spine due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim to reopen his rheumatoid arthritis service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records.

The veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for gout, service connection for a psychiatric disability secondary to his service-connected gout, and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, an eye disorder, and chest pain have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claim for increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis is also being remanded.,The VA has not provided adequate evidence or information necessary to substantiate the claims for service connection for a skin disorder, an eye disorder, and chest pain. The veteran's current disability manifested by chest pain (Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease) may be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to protect himself from daily environmental hazards, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for hyperhidrosis, a psychiatric disability with anxiety and insomnia, a heart condition, bronchial asthma, and rheumatism, to include rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence received since the March and May 2000 rating decisions did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability, which he claims as rheumatoid arthritis. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, rheumatoid arthritis and mild emphysema, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to decide the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the thoracic spine.

The Board found no evidence of rheumatoid arthritis during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the evidence submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim.