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Whole decision: Denied

The Board denied service connection for patent foramen ovale (heart disorder) and fibromyalgia. The Veteran's patent foramen ovale was found to be a congenital defect not aggravated by her service, while her fibromyalgia is not shown to have been incurred during service.,For the right wrist tendonitis, status-post scaphoid fracture injury; right hip strain, status-post hip stress fracture; left hip strain, status-post stress fracture; and right hand degenerative joint disease issues, a remand was ordered for new VA examinations.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's patent foramen ovale is not service-connected as it is a congenital defect not aggravated by her service. The fibromyalgia was also not shown to have been incurred during service.,For the right wrist tendonitis, status-post scaphoid fracture injury; right hip strain, status-post hip stress fracture; left hip strain, status-post stress fracture; and right hand degenerative joint disease issues, a remand is necessary as new VA examinations are needed.

Claimed conditions
patent foramen ovale (heart disorder), fibromyalgia
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
October 22, 2018
Citation
18143946

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 18143946.

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).

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