Reasonable Hypothesis [1] | 50 of 2017 |
Balance of Probabilities [2] | 51 of 2017 |
SOP Bulletin 198 [3]
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic symmetric, inflammatory, peripheral polyarthritis. It can lead to joint deformity and destruction if not sucessfully treated. Associated features outside of the joints, affecting a wide range of organs and tissues occur in about 40% of cases over the lifetime of the disease.
Diagnosis is difficult, particularly in the early stages of disease. Distinctive features and extrarticular manifestations are generally absent until later stages. There is no single test or clinical feature that is diagnostic. Diagnosis is based on the clinical findings (including duration of symptoms), serology and other blood test results, and exclusion of diseases with similar clinical features (including psoriatic arthritis, acute viral polyarthritis, polyarticular gout and systemic lupus erythematosus).
The relevant medical specialist is an rheumatologist.
* another SOP applies
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset will generally be when symptoms of peripheral arthritis in multiple joints, subsequently diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, first developed.
The course of the disease and the response to treatment are variable. Good control or remission early in the disease process is the aim of therapy. An inability to obtain a timely diagnosis and appropriate specialist care may be a potential cause of clinical worsening for this disease.
Place holder node for Rulebase for rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis - Cigar smoking Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Investigative Documents
Claimant Report - Smoking [CRD905] [5] Claimant Report - Smoking [CRV905] Preliminary questions [34576]
4915 [7] the veteran has ever smoked cigars. 34590 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for rheumatoid arthritis. 34591 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. 34593 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34594 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34592 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. 34595 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34596 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical onset and operational service [34593] 4921 — the veteran has some period or periods of cigar smoking that are causally related to operational service. [11] Clinical onset and eligible service [34594] 4922 — the veteran has some period or periods of cigar smoking that are causally related to eligible service. [14] Clinical worsening and operational service [34595] 4921 — the veteran has some period or periods of cigar smoking that are causally related to operational service. [16] Clinical worsening and eligible service [34596] 4922 — the veteran has some period or periods of cigar smoking that are causally related to eligible service. [19]
Rheumatoid arthritis - Cigarette smoking Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Investigative Documents
Claimant Report - Smoking [CRD905] [5] Claimant Report - Smoking [CRV905] Preliminary questions [34575] 34583 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and VEA service for rheumatoid arthritis. 34584 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. 34586 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34587 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34585 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. 34588 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34589 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical onset and operational service [34586] 3116 — the veteran has some period or periods of cigarette smoking that are causally related to operational service. [24] Clinical onset and eligible service [34587] 3521 — the veteran has some period or periods of cigarette smoking that are causally related to eligible service. [25] Clinical worsening and operational service [34588] 3116 — the veteran has some period or periods of cigarette smoking that are causally related to operational service. [26] Clinical worsening and eligible service [34589] 3521 — the veteran has some period or periods of cigarette smoking that are causally related to eligible service. [29]
Rheumatoid arthritis - Exposure to mineral oil Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Investigative Documents
Claimant Report - Exposure to Mineral Oil - Rheumatoid Arthritis [CR9308] Preliminary questions [40354]
34611 [12] the condition under consideration is seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. the veteran has experienced inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with mineral oil for a cumulative period of at least 2500 hours within a continuous period of ten years at some time. 40356 — the veteran has established the causal connection between exposure to mineral oil and operational service for rheumatoid arthritis. 40357 — the veteran has established the causal connection between exposure to mineral oil and operational service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 40358 — the veteran has established the causal connection between exposure to mineral oil and operational service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical onset and operational service [40357] Clinical worsening and operational service [40358]
Rheumatoid arthritis - Inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for rheumatoid arthritis Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Investigative Documents
Medical Report - Inability to Obtain Appropriate Clinical Management - [GQACM] Preliminary questions [2991] 11109 — the condition under consideration has been accepted on the basis of inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for the condition under consideration.
7334 [42] the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service. the condition under consideration permanently worsened. the veteran was unable to obtain appropriate clinical management for the condition under consideration at some time.
7379 [43] the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for the condition under consideration contributed to the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration. 11234 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for the condition under consideration and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration. 11235 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for the condition under consideration and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration. or 11236 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for the condition under consideration and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration. Clinical worsening and operational service [11235] or 7390 — the identified illness or injury which prevented the veteran from obtaining appropriate clinical management for the condition under consideration is causally related to operational service. [48] [49] Clinical worsening and eligible service [11236] or 7391 — the identified illness or injury which prevented the veteran from obtaining appropriate clinical management for the condition under consideration is causally related to eligible service. [48] [49]
Rheumatoid arthritis - Inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Investigative Documents
Claimant Report - Inhaling Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust - Rheumatoid Arthritis [CR9309] Preliminary questions [34579]
34641 [57] the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for rheumatoid arthritis at some time. 40346 — the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and VEA service for rheumatoid arthritis. 34642 — the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and VEA service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. 34643 — the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and operational service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34644 — the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and eligible service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 40347 — the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and VEA service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. 40348 — the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and operational service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. or 40349 — the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and eligible service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical onset and operational service [34643] Clinical onset and eligible service [34644] Clinical worsening and operational service [40348] Clinical worsening and eligible service [40349]
Rheumatoid arthritis - Pipe smoking Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Investigative Documents
Claimant Report - Smoking [CRD905] [5] Claimant Report - Smoking [CRV905] Preliminary questions [34577]
4880 [70] the veteran has ever smoked pipe tobacco. 34597 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for rheumatoid arthritis. 34598 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. 34600 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34601 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34599 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. 34602 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34603 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical onset and operational service [34600] 4911 — the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to operational service. [72] Clinical onset and eligible service [34601] 4913 — the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to eligible service. [73] Clinical worsening and operational service [34602] 4911 — the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to operational service. [74] Clinical worsening and eligible service [34603] 4913 — the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to eligible service. [77]
Rheumatoid arthritis - Smoking tobacco products - material contribution Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Investigative Documents
Claimant Report - Smoking [CRD905] [5] Claimant Report - Smoking [CRV905] Preliminary questions [34578] 34604 — the veteran has established the causal connection between smoking tobacco products and VEA service for rheumatoid arthritis. 34605 — the veteran has established the causal connection between smoking tobacco products and VEA service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. 34607 — the veteran has established the causal connection between smoking tobacco products and operational service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34608 — the veteran has established the causal connection between smoking tobacco products and eligible service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34606 — the veteran has established the causal connection between smoking tobacco products and VEA service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. 34609 — the veteran has established the causal connection between smoking tobacco products and operational service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34610 — the veteran has established the causal connection between smoking tobacco products and eligible service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical onset and operational service [34607] Clinical onset and eligible service [34608] Clinical worsening and operational service [34609] Clinical worsening and eligible service [34610]
Rheumatoid arthritis - Treatment with a drug that aggravates rheumatoid arthritis Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Investigative Documents
Medical Report - Treatment with a Drug that Aggravates Rheumatoid Arthritis [MR9314] Preliminary questions [34581]
7334 [42] the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service. the condition under consideration permanently worsened. the veteran has been treated with a drug which aggravates rheumatoid arthritis at some time. the veteran was treated with a drug which aggravates rheumatoid arthritis for an illness or injury which is identifiable. for the identified illness or injury, the veteran was treated with a drug which aggravates rheumatoid arthritis after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and within the eight weeks before its clinical worsening. 34669 — the veteran has established the causal connection between treatment with a drug that aggravates rheumatoid arthritis and operational service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical worsening and operational service [34669] 34666 — the identified illness or injury for which the veteran was being treated with a drug which aggravates rheumatoid arthritis is causally related to operational service. [97]
Rheumatoid arthritis - Treatment with a drug that causes rheumatoid arthritis Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Investigative Documents
Medical Report - Treatment with a Drug that Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis [MR9312] Preliminary questions [34580]
34652 [101] the veteran has been treated with a drug that causes rheumatoid arthritis at some time. the veteran was treated with a drug that causes rheumatoid arthritis for an illness or injury which is identifiable. for the identified illness or injury, the veteran was treated with a drug that causes rheumatoid arthritis within the eight weeks before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration. [104]
34659 — the veteran has established the causal connection between treatment with a drug that causes rheumatoid arthritis and operational service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
Clinical onset and operational service [34659]
34656 — the identified illness or injury for which the veteran was being treated with a drug that causes rheumatoid arthritis is causally related to operational service. [105]
Rheumatoid arthritis - Treatment with the drug interferon-alpha Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 22 December 2008.
Preliminary questions [34582]
34679 [106] there is some evidence that treatment with interferon-alpha may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.
34674 [106] the veteran has been treated with interferon-alpha at some time. the veteran was treated with interferon-alpha for an illness or injury which is identifiable. 40359 — the veteran has established the causal connection between treatment with interferon-alpha and VEA service for rheumatoid arthritis. 34671 — the veteran has established the causal connection between treatment with interferon-alpha and VEA service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. 34672 — the veteran has established the causal connection between treatment with interferon-alpha and operational service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 34673 — the veteran has established the causal connection between treatment with interferon-alpha and eligible service for the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. or 40360 — the veteran has established the causal connection between treatment with interferon-alpha and VEA service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. 40361 — the veteran has established the causal connection between treatment with interferon-alpha and operational service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. or 40362 — the veteran has established the causal connection between treatment with interferon-alpha and eligible service for the clinical worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical onset and operational service [34672] 34677 — the identified illness or injury for which the veteran was being treated with interferon-alpha is causally related to operational service. [110] [111] Clinical onset and eligible service [34673] 34678 — the identified illness or injury for which the veteran was being treated with interferon-alpha is causally related to eligible service. [112] [111] Clinical worsening and operational service [40361] 34677 — the identified illness or injury for which the veteran was being treated with interferon-alpha is causally related to operational service. [113] [111] Clinical worsening and eligible service [40362] 34678 — the identified illness or injury for which the veteran was being treated with interferon-alpha is causally related to eligible service. [115] [111]
Links
[1] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2017/050.pdf
[2] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2017/051.pdf
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/system/files/media/Bulletin%20198.pdf
[4] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/64074%23comment-form
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsclaimant-115
[6] clikpopup://CCPS/Cigar smoking
[7] clikpopup://CCPS/Ever smoked cigars
[8] clikpopup://CCPS/reject4915No
[9] clikpopup://CCPS/Reject/OnsetAfterService
[10] clikpopup://CCPS/Reject/NoPermanentWorsening
[11] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34616No
[12] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsn026rc-1
[13] https://clik.dva.gov.au/reasons-decision-95
[14] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34617No
[15] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsn026rc-5
[16] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34619No
[17] clikpopup://CCPS/Onset of RA prior to operational service to which cigar smoking is related
[18] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34621No
[19] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34620No
[20] clikpopup://CCPS/Onset of RA prior to eligible service to which cigar smoking is related
[21] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34622No
[22] clikpopup://CCPS/Cigarette smoking
[23] clikpopup://CCPS/reject5803No
[24] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34612No
[25] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34613No
[26] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34618No
[27] https://clik.dva.gov.au/condition-testing-fact-used-smoking-and-mineral-oil-factors
[28] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34614No
[29] clikpopup://CCPS/reject27025No
[30] clikpopup://CCPS/Onset of RA prior to eligible service to which cigarette smoking is related
[31] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34615No
[32] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsclaimant-102
[33] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40367No
[34] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40368No
[35] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40370No
[36] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40372No
[37] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40369No
[38] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40371No
[39] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40374No
[40] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40373No
[41] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsother-31
[42] https://clik.dva.gov.au/node/70154
[43] clikpopup://CCPS/Rheumatoid arthritis/ACM - contributed to worsening
[44] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NoContribution
[45] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NotOpService
[46] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NotOperDuties
[47] clikpopup://CCPS/rejectwilful
[48] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NoIllness
[49] clikpopup://CCPS/reject7390,7391No
[50] clikpopup://CCPS/Rheumatoid arthritis/ACM %C2%96 onset prior to operational service
[51] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/OnsetFailOper
[52] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NotEligService
[53] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NotEligDuties
[54] clikpopup://CCPS/Rheumatoid arthritis/ACM %C2%96 onset prior to eligible service
[55] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/OnsetFailElig
[56] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsclaimant-199
[57] clikpopup://CCPS/Inhaled silica dust as defined in SOP for RA at some time
[58] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34641No
[59] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34645No
[60] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34646No
[61] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34647No
[62] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34648No
[63] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34649No
[64] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34650No
[65] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40350No
[66] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40351No
[67] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40352No
[68] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40353No
[69] clikpopup://CCPS/Pipe smoking
[70] clikpopup://CCPS/Ever smoked pipe tobacco
[71] clikpopup://CCPS/reject4880No
[72] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34623No
[73] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34624No
[74] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34625No
[75] clikpopup://CCPS/Onset of RA prior to operational service to which pipe smoking is related
[76] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34627No
[77] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34626No
[78] clikpopup://CCPS/Onset of RA prior to eligible service to which pipe smoking is related
[79] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34628No
[80] clikpopup://CCPS/Smoked cigarettes, pipe tobacco or cigars at some time
[81] clikpopup://CCPS/reject30303No
[82] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34629No
[83] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34631No
[84] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34632No
[85] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34634No
[86] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34635No
[87] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34637No
[88] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34639No
[89] clikpopup://CCPS/reject33454No
[90] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34636No
[91] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34638No
[92] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34640No
[93] clikpopup://CCPS/reject33459No
[94] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsmedical-73
[95] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34662No
[96] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34663No
[97] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34665No
[98] clikpopup://CCPS/Onset of RA before Op service to which illness treated with RA worsening drug is related
[99] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40366No
[100] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsmedical-34
[101] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsn026rc-0
[102] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34652No
[103] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34653No
[104] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34655No
[105] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34656No
[106] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsn026rc-3
[107] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34674No
[108] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34675No
[109] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34676No
[110] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40363No
[111] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34677,34678No
[112] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34678No
[113] clikpopup://CCPS/reject34677No
[114] clikpopup://CCPS/Onset of RA before Op service to which illness treated with interferon alpha is related
[115] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40364No
[116] clikpopup://CCPS/Onset of RA before El service to which illness treated with interferon alpha is related
[117] clikpopup://CCPS/reject40365No