Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypoglycemia, rheumatoid arthritis, spider cysts (claimed as residuals of exposure to ionizing radiation), and thyroid disorder (hyperthyroidism, claimed as a residual of exposure to ionizing radiation) were denied. The Veteran was granted a 40% rating for the residuals of shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left buttock.

The Veteran's claimed rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board found no presumption of service connection applicable. The evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for Lyme disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a 20 percent evaluation prior to June 28, 2005.

The Veteran seeks service connection for disorders of the knees, legs, and hips as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA medical examination to determine if any diagnosed lower extremity arthritic conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board found that the medications/drug treatment plan administered at a VA medical facility in August 2002 caused the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, and thus awarded compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis and granted it, finding that there is at least as likely as not that the condition began during his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of conjunctivitis, tinnitus, and rheumatoid arthritis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis did not originate during service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, or psychiatric disability (MDD) that is related to her active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis has been productive of severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring 4 or more times a year throughout the period of this claim, and he is therefore entitled to a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted these ratings effective January 6, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The appellant seeks service connection for cause of death, which may be related to asbestos exposure during military service.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and chronic lung disability are being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and his military service, to include presumed herbicide exposure.