The Board found that the November 1988 RO rating decision denying an increased evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints, rated 20 percent, did not contain clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The veteran's appeal regarding his claim was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence at the time of the November 1988 RO rating decision indicated that the rheumatoid arthritis was essentially inactive. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's arthritis as an active process was not warranted under diagnostic code 5002.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2000
- Citation
- 0010052
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0010052.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of medical evidence linking rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that a remand of the claim is necessary due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints. The case will be returned for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints due to additional evidence obtained by VA, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has dismissed the claim for a lumbar spine disability. The claim for service connection for alopecia was reopened, but remains denied due to lack of evidence establishing a direct relationship with service or service-connected conditions. Service connection for metabolic syndrome is denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.