Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2000

The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine, finding that his disability was manifested by limitation of motion and sensory impairment without evidence of severe neurologic symptoms or radiculopathy.

The Board finds that there is not a reasonable possibility of valid claims concerning the veteran's claimed disabilities, including hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, bilateral eye disability, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, asthma, low back disability, hypoglycemia, bilateral hand and ankle disabilities, gastrointestinal disability, acquired cognitive disorder, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and residuals of Epstein-Barr virus infection. These conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and polyarthralgia, as well as his request for an increased rating for tinea versicolor. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or aggravated by service.

The Board determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis is not well-grounded because there is no evidence of a chronic disability subject to service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic skin disorder (including psoriasis and fungus infection) and rheumatoid/psoriatic arthritis, claiming these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for pityriasis rosea and denied the remaining claims.

The Board denied the claim as there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joint to his death from coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for further medical development and adjudication.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, basic eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, and entitlement to service-connected VA burial benefits are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board found no evidence of Reiter's syndrome during service or after, and concluded that the veteran does not have this condition. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to support it.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the issuance of a final decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and low back disability, finding them not well-grounded.