Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the issues related to earlier effective date and evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation from service, and there is no competent evidence linking it to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis cannot be reopened because no new and material evidence was submitted to link his current condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematous (lupus or SLE), to include pericarditis claimed as inflammation of the heart. The claim for increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for costochondritis was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the left and right knees have been evaluated at their maximum ratings, with no additional disability found to warrant separate evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of medical evidence to determine the severity of the appellant's disabilities and their impact on her ability to perform routine everyday activities without assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and a rheumatoid and polyarthritis disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, right upper extremity weakness, and right lower extremity weakness were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating codes.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, hepatitis C, or rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his left shoulder disability is manifested by pain and only mild limitation of motion, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion and to reopen his claim for rheumatoid arthritis, finding no current evidence of such conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis of the hips and feet have been granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned effective from October 9, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service, including exposure to biological experiments.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and a Persian Gulf examination. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.