Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2008

Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is granted.,Service connection for bursitis of the left hip and both shoulders is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, which he claims is related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran has rheumatoid arthritis and whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected condition.

The veteran is seeking service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The VA examiner's report was inadequate, and the case is being remanded to provide another examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is required prior to the adjudication of the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, elbows, shoulders and knees.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, and thus denied the veteran's claim.

The veteran's service is not qualifying for VA pension benefits, and the appellant did not file a claim for accrued benefits within one year of his death. The claims are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Lyme disease and rheumatoid arthritis were denied, while his claim for increased rating for lumbosacral strain was granted. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of spinal meningitis and ventral hernia. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of both feet is not established.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his unemployability solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities, particularly his asthma.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and/or inflammatory synovitis, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that there is no positive association between herbicide exposure and any condition. The presumption of service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange does not apply here.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the veteran's claims.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, he is not eligible for service-connected burial allowance.

The Board found that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Board has denied service connection for PUD, PTB, Rheumatoid Arthritis, bilateral cataracts, and left ear hearing loss as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a higher rating for her cervical spine disability. The veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not found to be related to her military service, and her cervical spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's spina bifida existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The arthritis, diagnosed after service, is presumed to have preexisted service.

The Board has granted service connection for instability of the right knee and assigned a 10% disability rating, effective February 13, 2001. The veteran is now seeking an earlier effective date.

The RO granted a higher 20 percent rating for rheumatoid arthritis, effective July 24, 2002. The veteran's claim remains viable as he is presumed to seek the maximum available benefit.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and there was no evidence of radiation exposure in service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis is pending due to lack of relevant medical records.