Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot condition is congenital in origin and not service-connected, and his neck arthritis did not develop during or within one year after service.

The VA denied an increased rating for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and fusiform changes of the PIP joint, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of the claims file.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis with degenerative joint disease of the ankles, right knee, right hip, and right hand were denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA medical examination.,The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left hip was also denied due to his failure to appear for a scheduled VA medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint disease of either knee, degenerative disc disease of the cervical or lumbar spine, or osteoporosis that began in service.

The veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the left hip, right hip, right knee, left knee, fingers of the right hand, fingers of the left hand, right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, and left wrist have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder and right shoulder have been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a systemic condition affecting all of his joints, including neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative joint disease. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's service medical records and a VA examination to determine if his current back disability is related to his military service. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The VA determined that the veteran's back disability, specifically rheumatoid arthritis of the lower thoracic spine and ankylosis of the lumbosacral spine, is currently rated at 40 percent disabling. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on current diagnostic criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred or aggravated during service and is unrelated to any in-service event, injury, or disease. As a result, the claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis affecting his right leg and residuals of brain trauma, including tinnitus. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis was denied due to lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence/aggravation. The claim for residuals of brain trauma was also denied as no new and material evidence had been received since the last denial.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the appellant's symptoms in May 1988 were consistent with RA and that his disorder likely had its onset prior to May 1988. The rapid progression of his RA is related to his exposure during a period of ACDUTRA in May 1988.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining clinical records and scheduling an examination to determine the nature and extent of his rheumatoid arthritis.

The veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome with clavicular sparring and right hand paresthesia have been granted service connection, but the rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome is denied. The veteran was assigned a 20 percent initial rating for his right shoulder condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic leukopenia, dislocation of the right shoulder and partial clavicle removal, residuals of a right wrist fracture, and genital herpes due to lack of available service records and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is new and material, thus reopening the claim for service connection for sinusitis. However, the VA medical examination found no current diagnosis of sinusitis, leading to a denial of service connection.

The veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed the case.