Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the service connection claims.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is not productive of more than a 40 percent evaluation, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The appeal is remanded to obtain SSA records and arrange for a VA examination regarding the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as they were not related to the veteran's military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, including deformity of the hands, and sleep apnea are due to disease or injury incurred in active service.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of teeth and rheumatoid arthritis of the chest, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for loss of teeth and that there was no evidence linking either condition to active service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating, while his thoracic spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities were each granted 10 percent ratings. Service connection for lumbar spine and joint pains was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis/rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and his military service.