The Board denied service connection for gouty arthritis of the bilateral ankles and right knee, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or his service-connected hypertension and plantar fasciitis.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners' opinions were highly probative and persuasive, concluding that the Veteran’s gout was less likely than not related to military service. The Board also found no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology following service.
- Claimed conditions
- gouty arthritis of the bilateral ankles, gouty arthritis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18137692
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 18137692.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's ratings for right knee limited extension and instability were reduced, but the Board found that these reductions were not supported by adequate evidence. The Veteran is entitled to restoration of his original ratings.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected gouty arthritis of the right great toe, left foot, and right knee is remanded due to new evidence not previously considered.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiologies of the Veteran's gouty arthritis and a review of his VA treatment records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused or aggravated his gouty arthritis.
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