Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2011

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral foot injury residuals with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as a bilateral ankle disorder due to foot injuries with osteoarthritis. The Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and right shoulder disability are being reviewed to determine if they are related to her service, with a focus on whether the conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board granted initial ratings of 10 percent for the cervical spine and 20 percent for the thoracolumbar spine due to rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant higher ratings based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to have had its onset during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. The evidence shows that the Veteran had a pre-existing arthritis condition prior to his entry into active duty, which was aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis did not have onset during active service, are not related to his active service or to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis cannot be reopened because no new and material evidence was received since the January 26, 1983 rating decision.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is rated at 40 percent, and his degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 10 percent. The residuals of avulsion fracture of the left ischial tuberosity are rated at 80 percent, and the hemorrhoids have a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis contributed to his immobility, which led to the pneumonia that caused his death. The Board finds this evidence sufficient to grant service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's depression. The issue of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is also inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for depression.

The Veteran's back disability is characterized by limitation of motion and mild radiculopathy, warranting a 40 percent evaluation.,He also has associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is evaluated as 10 percent for each side.