The Board denied service connection for psoriatic arthritis, finding that the Veteran's condition was not incurred in or caused by his military service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Board noted there were no complaints, treatment, or diagnoses of a rash or psoriasis during active service and that symptoms did not manifest until many decades after separation.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations found that psoriatic arthritis was less likely than not incurred in or caused by active service, including as due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's condition began in the mid-1980s with no reports of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis until the early 2000s, almost 30 years after service separation.
- Claimed conditions
- psoriatic arthritis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2021
- Citation
- 21013619
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 21013619.
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: Partly granted
The Veteran's sleep apnea, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis have been granted effective as of September 9, 2021. The effective date for the grant of service connection is based on the PACT Act.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hallux valgus and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service. Service connection was denied for left foot peripheral neuropathy, right foot peripheral neuropathy, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection of psoriatic arthritis and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for her right shoulder disability is remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.
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