The Board found that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and his loss of anal sphincter control is reasonably related to his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer. The claim for service connection was denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners did not find a causal relationship between the veteran's gastrointestinal disability and his PTSD, and found that the veteran's current gastrointestinal disability is more likely due to other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, loss of anal sphincter control
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2004
- Citation
- 0406932
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0406932.
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 the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to his death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability other than sleep apnea. The claims for abdominal pain, type I diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an immune disorder are remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to in-service exposure to toxins related to his military occupational specialty as a Fire Protection Specialist.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.