The veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy and squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth were not shown to be related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The claims are denied.
The deciding factor: Service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions prior to their onset many years after service. The veteran's current disabilities are attributed to other factors such as alcoholism and follow-up treatment for cancer, rather than to his military service including exposure to Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral Neuropathy, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Floor of the Mouth
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2002
- Citation
- 0202370
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0202370.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder with neurocognitive disorder and peripheral neuropathy caused him to require regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 15, 2008, but no earlier, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance is granted.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, a lung condition, and entitlement to TDIU.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension, but denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and an initial compensable rating for hypothyroidism. Tinnitus was also granted.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.