Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2005

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death (cardiac arrest) and rheumatoid arthritis. The veteran's cardiac condition was not shown to be related to his military service, while there is no evidence that rheumatoid arthritis caused or contributed to the veteran's death.

The VA has determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, as currently diagnosed and rated, does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, but the underlying claim remains denied as there is no causal relationship between the condition and active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, fatigue manifested by chronic fatigue syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bleeding in the stomach, subdural hematoma (claimed as hematosis), and wrist, ankle, neck, elbow, and knee disorders were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for fatigue and headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis had its onset during his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by her 21/2 months of active military service. The right foot condition is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's service connection claims for pulmonary tuberculosis, malaria, rheumatoid arthritis with lumbago, and polyneuritis with neuralgia. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain medical records from Dr. Francisco B. Asuncion, Jr., and re-adjudicate all issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a combined rating in excess of 40 percent for his left knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not warrant such a rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury to the arms, other than rheumatoid or gouty arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized arthralgia, finding that his disability is manifested by pain in his left knee with slight limitation of motion and no additional functional impairment due to painful motion or instability. The weight of medical evidence indicates that other joint pain is unrelated to service-connected arthralgia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current rheumatoid arthritis was incurred in service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran does not currently have rheumatoid periarteritis, and therefore a compensable evaluation for this condition is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of his left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee. The current evaluation of 20 percent is considered appropriate based on the residual functional limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis/duodenitis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability and denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The veteran is also entitled to a 20 percent rating for his left knee instability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of his eye problems, edema condition, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board found that rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory synovitis were not incurred in service, and may not be presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange exposure.