The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any residuals of rheumatic fever or a disability related to rheumatic fever at any time during the appeal period.
The deciding factor: A VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's recurrent ankle symptoms are less likely than not related to his in-service rheumatic fever and identified alternate causes for the current ankle symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of rheumatic fever, swelling of ankles
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2016
- Citation
- 1646529
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1646529.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's rheumatic heart disease with coronary artery disease, status post stent placement is rated at 60 percent effective April 20, 2023.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to be in need of regular aid and assistance, resulting in a grant of special month compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination. The other claims remain denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and therefore, another remand is required for further development of the Veteran's service connection claims.
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