Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed rheumatoid arthritis conditions, specifically left wrist, shoulder, and ankle, were not incurred or aggravated during active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity or presumptive service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar muscle strain, finding that the veteran initially manifested this condition during active service. The other issues of service connection are not addressed as they have been remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, pulmonary tuberculosis, hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions related to his military service and denied all claims.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and fatigue, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions being incurred in or aggravated by military service. The claim for nonservice-connected pension was also denied as the veteran did not meet the criteria for permanent and total disability due to his disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety disorder/PTSD/memory loss, and residuals of a burn injury to the left eye as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a right hip disorder, including rheumatoid arthritis. However, the evidence does not support that the current condition is related to any incident of service.

The veteran's claimed disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis and orthopedic conditions affecting the left knee and right foot, colon polyps, Peyronie's disease, kidney stones, inguinal hernias, and cataracts, were not found to be related to his service or exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine due to or aggravated by military service, nor may service connection for a chronic disorder be presumed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, as well as her requests for earlier effective dates. The RO established service connection for right knee medial compartment degenerative joint disease but denied other claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is service-connected, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by his military service, but his rheumatoid arthritis is not attributable to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining service medical records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's arthritis was related to his service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Bell's palsy and rheumatoid arthritis were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the tinnitus rating was granted, with a 10% rating effective from April 24, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition, but denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The claim for a respiratory disorder (bronchitis) is remanded.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the conditions contributing to his death were not shown to be related to his military service or service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's eye problems, condition causing edema to the entire body, and rheumatoid arthritis were not incurred or aggravated by service-connected conditions. The claim for these issues was denied.