The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical spine and multiple joints disabilities have been denied. The reduction in the evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis from 60 percent to no percent as of July 26, 2005 has also been denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating than 40% for the service-connected cervical spine disability and the reduction in the evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis was found to be improper due to procedural errors.
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy, rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 7, 2006
- Citation
- 0616649
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 0616649.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 matter of entitlement to service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints for a clarifying medical opinion, including addressing a theory of presumptive service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran is entitled to an initial evaluation of 60 percent for the residuals of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Denied
The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is not productive of more than a 40 percent evaluation, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis and esophagitis, as well as his claim for TDIU due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The secondary service connection claim was also denied.
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