The veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the left hip, right hip, right knee, left knee, fingers of the right hand, fingers of the left hand, right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, and left wrist have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder and right shoulder have been rated as 20 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis has resulted in significant functional impairment in multiple joints, warranting the assigned ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, rheumatoid arthritis of the left hip, rheumatoid arthritis of the right hip, rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee, rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers of the right hand, rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers of the left hand, rheumatoid arthritis of the right elbow, rheumatoid arthritis of the left elbow, rheumatoid arthritis of the right wrist, rheumatoid arthritis of the left wrist, rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis of the right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 17, 2007
- Citation
- 0714811
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 0714811.
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.
- 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 Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his lumbar condition is a congenital defect or disease, and if so, whether it was aggravated by military service. The Veteran also seeks service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his lumbar condition is a congenital defect or if it was aggravated by military service. The VA examiner will need to provide opinions on these matters.
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