Rotator Cuff Syndrome - Rheumatoid arthritis Factor
Definition
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome characterised by inflammation of peripheral joints, and can result in destruction of bony structures.
Signs and symptoms
Onset may be abrupt, with simultaneous inflammation in many joints, but more frequently it is insidious, with progressive joint involvement. Tenderness is the most sensitive physical sign. Symmetric involvement of small hand joints, feet, wrists, elbows and ankles is typical, but initial manifestation may occur in any joint. Stiffness lasting >30 minutes on arising in the morning or after prolonged inactivity is common; early afternoon fatigue and malaise also occur. Deformities may develop rapidly.
Establishing onset
- A history of rheumatoid arthritis may be documented in the evidence. However, it may initially have been a minor complaint and the veteran or member may not have sought medical attention until some time after symptoms started. In addition, doctors' and hospitals' records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained.
- Therefore, a statement that rheumatoid arthritis first developed at a particular time will generally be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.
- Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the symptoms claimed to be due to rheumatoid arthritis at that time were not due to some other condition.
Last reviewed for CCPS 8 January 2007.
Preliminary questions [36865]
36868 there is some evidence that rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulder joint or associated bursae may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.
20038 the veteran has had rheumatoid arthritis at some time.
36883 the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis involved the joint of side and site of the body or the associated bursae.
36884 the veteran has established the causal connection between rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulder joint or associated bursae and VEA service for rotator cuff syndrome.
36891 the veteran had the rheumatoid arthritis involving the joint of side and site of the body or the associated bursae before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
36885 the veteran has established the causal connection between rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulder joint or associated bursae and VEA service for the clinical onset of rotator cuff syndrome.
36887 the veteran has established the causal connection between rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulder joint or associated bursae and operational service for the clinical onset of rotator cuff syndrome.
or
36888 the veteran has established the causal connection between rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulder joint or associated bursae and eligible service for the clinical onset of rotator cuff syndrome.
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.
36892 the veteran had the rheumatoid arthritis involving the joint of side and site of the body or the associated bursae before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
36886 the veteran has established the causal connection between rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulder joint or associated bursae and VEA service for the clinical worsening of rotator cuff syndrome.
36889 the veteran has established the causal connection between rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulder joint or associated bursae and operational service for the clinical worsening of rotator cuff syndrome.
or
36890 the veteran has established the causal connection between rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulder joint or associated bursae and eligible service for the clinical worsening of rotator cuff syndrome.
Clinical onset and operational service [36887]
36893 the rheumatoid arthritis involving the joint of side and site of the body or the associated bursae is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [36888]
36894 the rheumatoid arthritis involving the joint of side and site of the body or the associated bursae is causally related to eligible service.
Clinical worsening and operational service [36889]
36893 the rheumatoid arthritis involving the joint of side and site of the body or the associated bursae is causally related to operational service.
36895 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the rheumatoid arthritis involving the joint of side and site of the body or the associated bursae is causally related.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [36890]
36894 the rheumatoid arthritis involving the joint of side and site of the body or the associated bursae is causally related to eligible service.
36896 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the rheumatoid arthritis involving the joint of side and site of the body or the associated bursae is causally related.