Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2010

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis and granted it, finding that there is at least as likely as not that the condition began during his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of conjunctivitis, tinnitus, and rheumatoid arthritis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis did not originate during service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, or psychiatric disability (MDD) that is related to her active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis has been productive of severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring 4 or more times a year throughout the period of this claim, and he is therefore entitled to a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted these ratings effective January 6, 2004.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and chronic lung disability are being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and his military service, to include presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The appellant seeks service connection for cause of death, which may be related to asbestos exposure during military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints was denied by the Board, as it is not shown to be manifested by constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement that are totally incapacitating; nor is it shown to be manifested by ankylosis or limitation of motion in any joint.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right foot and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is service-connected, while his rheumatoid arthritis is not.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before the Board.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain a supplemental opinion from the examiner who conducted the January 2010 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.