Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 24, 1998 for a 100 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and denied service connection for rheumatoid anklyosing spondylitis (also claimed as a neck disorder).

The veteran's claim for service connection for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis was denied as there is no evidence of the condition during his active duty or within one year after discharge.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis. The claim is granted as the evidence supports a finding of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, myopia, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and residuals of Epstein-Barr virus infection. The veteran's claims were found to lack sufficient evidence to support the assertions.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee and left knee, effective from January 1947.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary tuberculosis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lower back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation, which is the highest rating available under VA's musculoskeletal rating criteria.

The veteran died from respiratory failure due to COPD, which was not caused by his service-connected psychoneurotic anxiety state. The Board denied the claim for service connection and also denied dependents' educational assistance benefits.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, finding no competent evidence establishing a relationship between the service-connected right knee disability and the subsequent development of arthritis in multiple joints.

The veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is currently active and results in pain, limitation of motion, fatigue, and difficulty performing daily activities. The Board has determined that the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis disability more nearly approximates a 100 percent evaluation for an active condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, which is currently in remission and results in no current objective manifestations for VA purposes except slight flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint of all fingers, warrants a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, currently rated at 40 percent. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if a higher rating can be granted.

The Board found that the veteran knowingly presented false and fraudulent statements in support of his claims for service connection, leading to forfeiture of all VA benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent evaluation.