The Board is considering the veteran's claims for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy, including reopening of a claim for service connection. The evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent, but further evidence may be needed to determine if it warrants an increased rating. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is being considered based on presumptive criteria, though the veteran's history and symptoms suggest other potential causes.
The deciding factor: The veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD that must be evaluated under VA guidelines, including consideration of his social and occupational functioning. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is being considered based on presumptive criteria, but the evidence suggests alternative etiologies.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Peripheral Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 5, 2004
- Citation
- 0405931
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,987 · Granted: 15% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0405931.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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