Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2005

The Board found that rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fluid retention were not incurred in or aggravated by the veteran's active duty service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after the hearing.

The veteran's appeal was denied for increased rating and service connection. The RO confirmed the current 40% rating for his right knee disorder, but denied service connection for cervical strain and multiple other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hand and wrist disability, including rheumatoid arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by her active duty service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, synovitis of multiple joints (knees, hands, left hip, and low back), and degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen previously denied claims.

The veteran's service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of both wrists and the right ankle was restored to a 10% rating, effective from August 1984. The veteran is seeking service connection for additional joints or degenerative arthritis.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis and entitlement to a TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of active rheumatoid arthritis or its residuals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis is currently asymptomatic and does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The claim was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for rheumatoid arthritis. The claim for tinnitus was denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic disability related to service. For rheumatoid arthritis, the Board found that while the condition is currently present, it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board found that the veteran's gout warranted a 40 percent rating, effective from August 2004 when clinical records documented 3 or more incapacitating exacerbations of gout per year.

The case is being remanded to obtain the exact dates of the veteran's Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA) while serving in the Tennessee National Guard. The veteran has not provided this information, and VA must pursue it until a responsible custodian reports they are unavailable or that further effort would be futile.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no evidence that diabetes mellitus or rheumatoid arthritis caused his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disorders of the arms, hands, feet, elbows, and knees as secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and claw hand disorder, finding that new evidence submitted since the final denial is sufficient to reopen the case. The claims are now pending before the RO for further consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and multiple joint pain as due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and right shoulder impingement, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The claim for right shoulder impingement remains pending as it was granted by analogy under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and fusiform changes of the proximal interphalangeal joints is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, based on current objective findings and symptoms.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and did not address the TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, left ear hearing loss, and rheumatoid arthritis as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.