Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and shoulders, as well as his initial rating claim for rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine. The VA found that there was no evidence of any exacerbations or limitations in motion to a compensable degree.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depressive neurosis, hepatitis, arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, chronic throat pathology, and stomach/upper gastrointestinal disability. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, residuals of an ingrown toenail, bilateral cataracts, and a heart disorder. The veteran was also denied eligibility for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without the regular aid and attendance of another person, or render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that she did not have the condition initially manifested during a period of active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-operative residuals, rheumatoid arthritis, right foot and ankle, and rheumatoid arthritis, right hand. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, special home adaptations, or adaptive equipment due to his disabilities.

The veteran's rheumatoid arthritis involving multiple joints is granted a 100 percent rating from November 15, 2000, forward.

The Board has granted service connection for a left elbow degenerative joint disease.,Service connection was denied for sinusitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The veteran's employment as a full-time teacher, consistent with the training received under Chapter 31, is considered to be in line with his rehabilitation objectives and he has been placed in 'rehabilitated' status.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding no evidence of these disabilities in his service records and concluding that they were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's immune disorder, also claimed as rheumatoid arthritis, is not related to active duty or exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of active disease and noting that the condition had been in remission for several years.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints to include the spine, shoulders, hips, ankles, and wrists, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected trapezitis of the left side of the back. The Board found that the veteran's arthritis was not present during service or for many years later and is not causally related to an incident of service or to his service-connected trapezitis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, but further development is needed to decide on the merits of her claim.

The Board has determined that the cause of death, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rheumatoid arthritis, was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis is a result of his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the veteran was exposed to mustard gas in Bari, Italy during December 1943 and whether he developed any conditions related to that exposure. The appellant believes her husband's death may have been caused by his mustard gas exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and sinusitis as they are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected dermatophytosis of both feet, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no reliable evidence meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation.