Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hip disorder, hypertension, right shoulder disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, asthmatic bronchitis, pericarditis with syncope, and potassium losing nephropathy. The denial is based on a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service or the undiagnosed illness presumption.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the wrists and hands is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's right knee condition, to include arthritis, was incurred in service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition, low back condition and asthma have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death is etiologically related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange and any disability that 'should have been' service connected (e.g., diabetes mellitus).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease was also denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for increased ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and bronchial asthma were denied. The claim for an increased rating for rheumatic fever, inactive, with heart involvement of the aortic and mitral valves was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and service connection were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have active rheumatoid arthritis or chronic residuals thereof, and therefore, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was incurred during her active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not result in the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to its severity. Other nonservice-connected conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, GERD, and peripheral vascular disease are more significant contributors to his functional limitations.