Rheumatoid arthritis decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder impingement, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, status post foraminotomy and diskectomy, lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis of the hands, and degenerative arthritis of the knees, are related to service. The Board has granted these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, chronic low back disorder, bilateral amblyopia, and chronic head injury residuals are remanded to the RO.

The Board found that the veteran's bronchial asthma and rheumatoid arthritis were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's service-connected scarring and rheumatoid arthritis, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on service connection and rating issues.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability contributed to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, macular degeneration of both eyes, and prostate disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was attributed to lung cancer. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice in order to determine if there is a relationship between the veteran's x-ray therapy during service and his fatal lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for clarification of the diagnosis and etiology of rheumatoid arthritis of the right foot, as well as compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link between his current condition and active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance is remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ptosis of the left eye and rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, finding no competent medical evidence supporting these conditions or linking them to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, of multiple joints including the lumbar spine due to lack of new and material evidence.