Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2007

The veteran seeks service connection for hearing loss and various other conditions. The RO has remanded the case to obtain additional records and conduct examinations.,The veteran claims service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, ankles, shoulders, and back, which he attributes to in-service exposure to humidity in Vietnam. He also seeks service connection for a psychiatric disability (likely depression) and benign prostatic hypertrophy due to herbicide exposure during service.,The veteran asserts that his current psychiatric condition is related to an in-service diagnosis of depression. The RO has requested clarification on whether the veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, which would require further development.,The veteran claims service connection for myocardial infarctions and coronary artery disease, with a suggestion that these conditions may be secondary to his psychiatric disability. He also seeks service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy due to herbicide exposure during service.,The veteran asserts that he was exposed to noise while serving as a policeman in the Air Force, which could potentially relate to his current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have rheumatoid arthritis and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, heart disease and hypertension, and multiple joint disabilities including a bilateral knee disability, rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and a right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disability, rheumatoid arthritis, a disability manifested by poor memory and concentration, and cataracts, all due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, PTB, and peptic ulcer disease on the merits. The veteran died in May 2004 with hypostatic pneumonia as the immediate cause of death.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and arthritis (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis) due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection was denied for BPH, CAD, hypertension, major depressive disorder, and cataracts.

The Board found that the veteran did not have Lyme disease or rheumatoid arthritis during service and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, but granted a 20% rating for diabetes mellitus. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, as well as his symptoms related to scalding burns and rheumatoid arthritis, are service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it. The veteran's current diagnosis of osteoarthritis is related to his military service, as evidenced by an affidavit from a fellow POW who witnessed injuries sustained during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis and service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, a low back disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis warrants a combined rating of 70 percent, based on chronic residuals involving five major joints and four groups of minor joints (with consideration of the bilateral factor).

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and granted it, finding new evidence supports a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, effective from September 30, 2003. The veteran's claim was reopened based on new and material evidence received in September 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that his rheumatoid arthritis is inactive and not productive of any compensable disability. The other issues were also denied as there was no evidence of active rheumatoid arthritis or significant impairment in joints.

The veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to confirm the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his military service and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis warrants a rating of 20 percent, which is the current evaluation for this condition.