Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, he is not eligible for service-connected burial allowance.

The Board found that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Board has denied service connection for PUD, PTB, Rheumatoid Arthritis, bilateral cataracts, and left ear hearing loss as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a higher rating for her cervical spine disability. The veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not found to be related to her military service, and her cervical spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's spina bifida existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The arthritis, diagnosed after service, is presumed to have preexisted service.

The Board has granted service connection for instability of the right knee and assigned a 10% disability rating, effective February 13, 2001. The veteran is now seeking an earlier effective date.

The RO granted a higher 20 percent rating for rheumatoid arthritis, effective July 24, 2002. The veteran's claim remains viable as he is presumed to seek the maximum available benefit.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and there was no evidence of radiation exposure in service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis is pending due to lack of relevant medical records.

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.