Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board dismissed the claim for a TDIU rating as there was no formal claim filed by the veteran.

The veteran's right hip disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling due to limitation of flexion, abduction, and extension. The knee disabilities are not separately evaluated as they do not meet the criteria for separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5261 (limitation of extension).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and rheumatoid arthritis of the spine, knees, elbows, and shoulders. The denial was based on a finding that the conditions existed prior to entry into service or were not aggravated by active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of beriberi, amoebic dysentery, and rheumatoid arthritis as there is no evidence of current disabilities or their onset during service.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from April 2003 to September 2003 are denied as the care was not rendered in a medical emergency and he is not eligible for reimbursement under the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for low back disability, chronic headache disability, rheumatoid arthritis as a result of an undiagnosed illness, and acral hyperhidrosis as a result of an undiagnosed illness.

The Board finds that the competent medical evidence supports a disability rating of 40 percent for the veteran's arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and bronchial asthma.

The Board remands the case to the RO for initial review and consideration of additional evidence received since the most recent supplemental statement of the case.

The appeal is remanded to the RO via the AMC for further development, including an examination of the veteran's service-connected conditions and their impact on employability.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for rheumatic heart disease, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and rheumatoid arthritis were denied as there was no evidence of an in-service incurrence or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis to the hips, legs, and back, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the presence and etiology of rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands and feet.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of frostbite, syphilis, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris as there is no competent evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right hip disability rated at 70 percent, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death during the pendency of the case.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a cardiovascular disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. The veteran was granted an increased rating of 10 percent for his polyarthritis.