The Board found that the Veteran does not have a separate and distinct disability characterized by rheumatoid arthritis, as his symptoms are consistent with his service-connected SLE, bilateral total hip replacements, lumbar strain, and systemic inflammatory arthritis of the hands. Therefore, service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current combined rating for the orthopedic manifestations of SLE resulted in a higher rating than that which may be assigned for SLE under its diagnostic code, making it unlikely that he has a separate and distinct disability characterized by rheumatoid arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), chronic lumbar strain, systemic inflammatory arthritis of the bilateral hands
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2012
- Citation
- 1224255
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 1224255.
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 Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis disability rating is being remanded for additional development due to significant weight loss and anemia.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hepatic steatosis have been denied. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed conditions.
- Partly granted
Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service or as a result of a disease or injury in active service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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