Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2003

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of valid military service in the United States Armed Forces.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of both knees and lumbar spine, finding no evidence of active rheumatoid arthritis or chronic residuals.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during active duty or within any applicable presumptive periods.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all four issues.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes cannot be established without a current VA examination, but he failed to appear for scheduled examinations. The RO recognized additional evidence received after the December 1998 denial, including diagnoses of neck condition, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, and dyspnea on exertion.

The VA determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for an increased rate of special monthly pension due to her need of regular aid and attendance because she is not blind or nearly blind, is not a patient in a nursing home, and has not demonstrated an inability to care for most of her daily personal needs without regular assistance of another person.

The VA denied an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis warrants a 50 percent rating since August 1999, and his bilateral pes planus does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints warrants an evaluation of 60 percent.

The Board denied all service connection claims and increased ratings claims, finding no current diagnoses for the claimed conditions and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any of the conditions and active service.

The Board found that rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied the claim.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine and denied a compensable rating for rheumatic heart disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of its onset in or within one year after service and concluding that it is not related to service.

The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for the service-connected rheumatoid arthritis with degenerative arthritis, involving multiple joints, due to its total incapacitating nature.