The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran was not treated for arthritis in service or within the first post-service year, and his current arthritis is not related to his military service. His PTSD symptoms include difficulty sleeping, nightmares, anger, irritability, short-term memory loss, disturbed mood, and relationship issues.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no evidence of rheumatoid arthritis during or within one year after the Veteran's military service, suggesting that it is more likely related to post-service events rather than his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2009
- Citation
- 0934199
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 0934199.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support direct service connection or any other theory of entitlement.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his in-service exposure to burn pits and other environmental toxins during his Southwest Asia service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as there was no evidence of a current disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to outstanding records of private treatment and a lack of VA medical opinions.
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