The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the elbows, wrists, hands and fingers as well as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that these conditions were related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence of rheumatoid arthritis in any joint, including the hands and fingers, which could have spread from the service-connected left shoulder. There was also no chronic symptoms of arthritis during or within one year after service.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral elbows, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral wrists, rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and fingers, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18154803
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 18154803.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, right and left lower extremity pain, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) as the evidence did not support a current disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his active service or a service-connected disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of service connection for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange, for further development.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PSVT was denied. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded.
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