Rheumatoid arthritis Board decisions

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain medical records from Dr. Francisco B. Asuncion, Jr., and re-adjudicate all issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a combined rating in excess of 40 percent for his left knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not warrant such a rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury to the arms, other than rheumatoid or gouty arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized arthralgia, finding that his disability is manifested by pain in his left knee with slight limitation of motion and no additional functional impairment due to painful motion or instability. The weight of medical evidence indicates that other joint pain is unrelated to service-connected arthralgia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current rheumatoid arthritis was incurred in service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran does not currently have rheumatoid periarteritis, and therefore a compensable evaluation for this condition is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of his left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee. The current evaluation of 20 percent is considered appropriate based on the residual functional limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis/duodenitis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability and denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The veteran is also entitled to a 20 percent rating for his left knee instability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of his eye problems, edema condition, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board found that rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory synovitis were not incurred in service, and may not be presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and shoulders, as well as his initial rating claim for rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine. The VA found that there was no evidence of any exacerbations or limitations in motion to a compensable degree.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depressive neurosis, hepatitis, arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, chronic throat pathology, and stomach/upper gastrointestinal disability. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, residuals of an ingrown toenail, bilateral cataracts, and a heart disorder. The veteran was also denied eligibility for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without the regular aid and attendance of another person, or render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that she did not have the condition initially manifested during a period of active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-operative residuals, rheumatoid arthritis, right foot and ankle, and rheumatoid arthritis, right hand. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, special home adaptations, or adaptive equipment due to his disabilities.

The veteran's rheumatoid arthritis involving multiple joints is granted a 100 percent rating from November 15, 2000, forward.

The Board has granted service connection for a left elbow degenerative joint disease.,Service connection was denied for sinusitis and rheumatoid arthritis.