Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2000

The Board found that the evidence submitted by the appellant did not meet the criteria for reopening her claim of service connection for cause of death, as it was not new and material. The veteran's cause of death was a pulmonary embolism due to arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding no evidence of its onset during active military service or within a year after separation.

The VA has determined that a higher rating for the veteran's right ankle strain is not warranted based on current evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as she does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if there is a link between the veteran's service and his cause of death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the veteran's current condition and her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and conjunctivitis. The decision found that there was no current manifestation of Reiter's syndrome, and that the criteria for a compensable evaluation were not met for rheumatoid arthritis or conjunctivitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, hands, and ankles, as well as a claim for an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis of the right little finger. The veteran's arthritis is found to be due to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial compensable evaluations were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder and brachial plexus radiculopathy of both arms, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any event in service. The cervical spine disability was granted a 10% evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the veteran's service-connected conditions or any other condition caused his death. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have active rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and wrists, but instead has chronic residuals such as proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint synovitis. The recent examinations do not show any limitation of motion or pain on use resulting in any limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for osteoarthritis and an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to military service or already service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.