The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, and Graves' disease warrant a 70 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5002.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's RA is characterized by painful motion with use of his hands, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of incapacitating exacerbations occurring four or more times per year. The celiac disease and Graves' disease do not warrant separate evaluations as they are not manifested by tachycardia, increased pulse pressure, blood pressure, sympathetic nervous symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, or other disabling manifestations.
- Claimed conditions
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Celiac Disease, Graves' Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 31, 2016
- Citation
- 1634323
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 1634323.
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 Veteran's claims for an increased rating for Graves' Disease and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for dry eye syndrome and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of all submitted evidence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the restoration of service connection for tooth loss associated with hyperthyroidism (to include Graves' Disease) and denied several other claims, including effective dates prior to May 13, 2019, for various conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for Rheumatoid Arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's current RA is etiologically related to his service.
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