The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and feet, and bilateral hand degenerative arthritis due to lack of new and material evidence.
The deciding factor: No new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and feet, bilateral hand degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18130680
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18130680.
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 Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis with headaches, reactive airway disease, right foot hallux rigidus, right foot arthritis, bilateral hand degenerative arthritis, and bilateral shoulder tendonitis and arthritis as these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical back condition, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, bilateral feet degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hand degenerative arthritis due to missing records from his Army Reserve service. The RO is instructed to verify any reserve service with NPRC and Army Reserve Personnel Center, obtain all relevant service treatment records, and seek out any outstanding VA or private treatment records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected skin condition and bilateral hand degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not show that he required the regular care or assistance of another person at any time during the appeal period.
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