Scleroderma

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease - Scleroderma Factor

RMA definition

"scleroderma" means a multisystem disorder characterised by the association of vascular abnormalities, connective tissue sclerosis and atrophy, and autoimmune changes.

General information

Scleroderma is a rare disease and varies in severity and progression.  A person with scleroderma almost certainly would have sought significant medical attention at some time.  Scleroderma may also be called progressive systemic sclerosis.

Scleroderma is a chronic disease characterised by diffuse fibrosis, degenerative changes and vascular abnormalities in the skin, articular structures, and internal organs.  The most common initial complaints are Raynaud's phenomenon and insidious swelling of the extremities with gradual thickening of the skin of the fingers.  Polyarthralgia is also a prominent early symptom.  Gastro-intestinal disturbances [eg heartburn and dysphagia] or respiratory complaints [eg dyspnoea] occasionally are the first manifestations of the disease.

Medical treatment for this condition would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  If these records cannot be obtained, a reliable history of appropriate medical treatment or symptoms at a particular time, will generally be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.  Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to scleroderma rather than to some other condition.

See also: Connective tissue disease

Last reviewed for CCPS 18 July 2005.

Preliminary questions [6486]

21959 there is some evidence that scleroderma may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

6563     the veteran has had scleroderma at some time.

32390  the veteran has established the causal connection between the scleroderma and VEA service for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

6564     the veteran had scleroderma at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

6565     the veteran has established the causal connection between the scleroderma and VEA service for the clinical onset of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

6566     the veteran has established the causal connection between the scleroderma and operational service for the clinical onset of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

or

6567     the veteran has established the causal connection between the scleroderma and eligible service for the clinical onset of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

32395 the veteran had scleroderma at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

32397   the veteran has established the causal connection between the scleroderma and VEA service for the clinical worsening of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

32398  the veteran has established the causal connection between the scleroderma and operational service for the clinical worsening of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

or

32399  the veteran has established the causal connection between the scleroderma and eligible service for the clinical worsening of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Clinical onset and operational service [6566]

6568     the scleroderma is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [6567]

6569     the scleroderma is causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [32398]

6568     the scleroderma is causally related to operational service.

21687 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the scleroderma is causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [32399]

6569     the scleroderma is causally related to eligible service.

21688 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the scleroderma is causally related.