The Veteran's initial rating for rheumatoid arthritis of the right wrist and bilateral hands was denied. A higher initial rating of 10 percent is granted for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the left wrist until January 16, 2017, but a higher rating is not warranted after that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as her condition was limited to noncompensable limitation of motion in her wrists and hands. There were no incapacitating exacerbations or weight loss/anemia associated with her rheumatoid arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of the right wrist, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands, rheumatoid arthritis of the left wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18160986
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18160986.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hand disability associated with rheumatoid arthritis has resulted in loss of use of both hands, and he is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m).
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 17, 2007 for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.,An initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability characterized as insomnia disorder with non-sleep disorder, mental comorbidity, and medical comorbidity, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability characterized as degenerative disc disease and stenosis of the lumbar spine, status post lumbosacral strain, is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will need to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the left dorsal olecranon enthesophyte of the elbow, finding that it began during active service. The other issues are remanded for further development.
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