Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disorder, diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, is related to his service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and a rating in excess of 20 percent for rheumatoid arthritis. The veteran did not meet the criteria to establish current diagnoses or show that his conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low sperm count and rheumatoid arthritis, finding no evidence of radiation exposure or current disabilities.

The Board has vacated its June 2008 decision and remanded the claims for further action due to lack of due process.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nummular eczema, rheumatoid arthritis with polyarthralgia, and polymyalgia due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis/rhinitis. The claims of service connection for a heart disorder and rheumatoid arthritis were denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional examinations.

The Board finds a preponderance of the evidence against the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and hypertension. These conditions were not incurred or linked to service in any way.

The veteran's appeal on his claim for an increased evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of the nature and extent of his current arthritis.

The Board found that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and feet was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to be. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and affording the veteran an opportunity to submit any pertinent medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and residuals of right eye cataract, including as secondary to medication prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee gonarthrosis based on limited/painful flexion and extension, or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hand osteoarthritis.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for left knee gonarthrosis based on limited/painful flexion and extension, or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right scaphoid, trapezium, and trapezoid arthritis.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for left scaphoid, trapezium, and trapezoid arthritis or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for right foot hallux valgus, or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left foot hallux valgus.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral neuropathy, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The veteran's claims of exposure to Agent Orange were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for his claimed conditions, and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as these conditions were not shown to be related to active service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, including low back disability, left ankle sprain, eye disorder (other than conjunctivitis), bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, chronic lung disorder (PPD positive), gastrointestinal disorder (indigestion or gastritis), prostatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bronchopneumonia, peptic ulcer disease, ischemic heart disease and hypertensive cardiovascular disease with angina, diabetes mellitus, acute pyelonephritis, liver condition, Bell's palsy with facial numbness, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and rheumatoid arthritis, finding no evidence of a direct or secondary relationship to the veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin disease, hepatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis with Felty's syndrome due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The veteran is presumed to have developed these conditions during service.