The Veteran is entitled to an initial evaluation of 60 percent for the residuals of rheumatoid arthritis.
The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrated definite impairment of health and incapacitating exacerbations occurring more than three times a year, warranting a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5002.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- February 25, 2009
- Citation
- 0906995
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,011 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0906995.
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 has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, including whether it had its onset during or within one year of service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of his claims. The appeals are remanded for further development including VA examinations and opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, left hand, right hand, and left knee were evaluated based on their respective disabilities. The rating was granted for the left shoulder, wrists, hands, hips/thighs, and knees.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints was denied by the Board, as it is not shown to be manifested by constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement that are totally incapacitating; nor is it shown to be manifested by ankylosis or limitation of motion in any joint.
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