The Board granted a rating of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints, effective August 26, 2011, and remanded the issue of separate ratings for chronic residuals.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was rated as 20 percent disabling from August 26, 2011, to September 19, 2014, based on active process with symptom combinations productive of definite impairment. After this period, separate ratings were granted for each joint.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of the right elbow, rheumatoid arthritis of the left elbow, rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee, rheumatoid arthritis of the right foot, rheumatoid arthritis of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21014761
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 21014761.
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 remands the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of various body parts due to in-service exposure to hazardous materials, as an addendum opinion is needed.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine was granted a 20 percent rating from December 8, 2021, to October 12, 2022, while other claims for increased ratings were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his lumbar condition is a congenital defect or disease, and if so, whether it was aggravated by military service. The Veteran also seeks service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his lumbar condition is a congenital defect or if it was aggravated by military service. The VA examiner will need to provide opinions on these matters.
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