Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ingrown toenails, a bilateral hand disorder, migraine headaches, complex allergies, and increased ratings for her service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, wrists, and feet, as well as an earlier effective date for her disability evaluations, are all denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying military service and therefore is not eligible for VA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than January 11, 2000, for the grant of a 100% evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that prior to January 11, 2000, there was no evidence of constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement or severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board, with no compensable rating assigned for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal of an April 2005 denial of the increased rating claim for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to a need for clarification on whether his current degenerative arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, and his claims for rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis are granted based on direct service connection. The claim to reopen for ulcerative colitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid spondylitis and iritis must be remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained, and inadequate previous examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently suffer from symptoms of his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, and thus, he is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spinal strain, arthritis of the neck and shoulders, residuals of fractures of the left 7th-11th ribs, and rheumatoid arthritis. The appeals were not granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claims or establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including preparation of an SOC on the issue of clear and unmistakable error in a 1978 rating decision reducing his spinal condition evaluation.

The Veteran died of rheumatoid arthritis, which the Board found was not service-connected. The claim for burial benefits was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for rheumatoid arthritis of various joints was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of all issues on appeal, including service connection claims and a claim for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis were granted a 40 percent rating effective from June 5, 2008. The Veteran also received an initial 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis has been presented. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently present arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions related to his active service. The claims for sinusitis, nervous condition with tremors, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, neck injury, right ankle injury, left knee injury, and numbness of the head are all denied.

The Board found that the January 30, 1970 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous in not awarding special monthly compensation for loss of use of the feet. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis due to a lack of current diagnosis.