Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The appeal is remanded to the RO via the AMC for further development, including an examination of the veteran's service-connected conditions and their impact on employability.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and rheumatoid arthritis were denied as there was no evidence of an in-service incurrence or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis to the hips, legs, and back, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the presence and etiology of rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands and feet.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of frostbite, syphilis, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris as there is no competent evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right hip disability rated at 70 percent, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death during the pendency of the case.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a cardiovascular disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. The veteran was granted an increased rating of 10 percent for his polyarthritis.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a sternum injury due to lack of evidence supporting an in-service injury and current disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, to include rheumatoid arthritis, as there was no evidence of a definitive diagnosis and no link between the condition and his active duty service.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was determined to be related to an injury from a mine explosion in service, while other conditions were denied service connection.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a lung disorder, finding no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year of discharge, and no link to service exposure.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis in the veteran's hands and feet during his active duty service, and concluded that any current arthritis is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hips, as there is no current medical diagnosis of this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of higher initial evaluations for various service-connected conditions are also pending.

The veteran's mandible fracture is resolved, and he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,His lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence fails to show that his current condition warrants a higher rating based on orthopedic manifestations or associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis affecting his hips, ankles, and feet. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's back disability, specifically spondylolisthesis at L5-S1, was rated as 20 percent disabling prior to August 1, 2004. Since then, the rating has been increased to 40 percent effective from August 1, 2004.