The Board granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder. The veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on medical evidence showing a history of rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints, including the cervical spine, during service.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine, rheumatoid arthritis of the right shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 29, 2003
- Citation
- 0321847
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0321847.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of various body parts due to in-service exposure to hazardous materials, as an addendum opinion is needed.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine was granted a 20 percent rating from December 8, 2021, to October 12, 2022, while other claims for increased ratings were denied.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, and left knee due to his withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for a neck disability, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity (RUE), headaches (claimed as cephalgia), erectile dysfunction (ED), and intestinal disability due to exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune. The VA will provide additional examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy and Hartman's pouch (intestinal disability) is remanded, as the Veteran has not been provided a VA examination to assess this condition.
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.