Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of left knee, ankle, or hip disorders. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis is not currently confirmed in her case. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the right hip is secondary to his service-connected right knee impairment with arthritis, and granted this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 31, 1991 for a rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis. The decision stated that there was no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to June 13, 1994.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a bilateral hand disorder, including rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and determined that new evidence supports this claim. However, it was not established that the condition had its onset in service or due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection in both cases, finding that the claims were not received within one year of separation from service or prior to the liberalizing law's effective date.

The Board found that the veteran does not have active rheumatic fever or any chronic joint residuals, and thus denied a compensable rating for his joint residuals of rheumatic fever.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is service-connected as secondary to his right knee disability. The claim for an increased evaluation of the right knee disability is also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis preexisted his second period of active service and was aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis originated during his military service and granted him service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and left knee laxity are not well-grounded, as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of heart murmur, residuals of cold injury, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative joint disease. The appeals are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for multiple conditions, including a shrapnel wound to the right leg, pulmonary tuberculosis, peptic ulcer disease, nephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, poor visual acuity, hearing loss, beriberi with neuritis, and nutritional deficiency. The decision also addressed the veteran's claim for former prisoner of war (POW) status for VA benefits.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation have been granted. Service connection has been established for a low back disorder and multiple joints disorder, both presumed to be due to undiagnosed illnesses. The right shoulder sprain with degenerative joint disease is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the spine, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim will now be evaluated on its merits.