The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a neurological disorder, back disorder, urinary tract disorder, eye disorder, prostate disorder, vertigo, PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and headaches. The denial is based on the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct link between the veteran's current diagnoses and his active service, and the manifestations of peripheral neuropathy were not those contemplated by the regulation. The examiner did not review the claims folder and relied on the veteran's reported history to conclude that the veteran's neuropathy was more likely related to service than his diabetes.
- Claimed conditions
- neurological disorder, back disorder, urinary tract disorder, eye disorder, prostate disorder, vertigo, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dysthymic disorder, headache
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2006
- Citation
- 0609183
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence linking his current condition to active service or any incident of service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, higher ratings, and earlier effective dates, as well as dismissed his claim for a TDIU.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a restoration of the separate 10 percent rating for vertigo, an earlier effective date for service connection for vertigo and migraines, and a 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism with heart murmur. The decision also denied an earlier effective date for hypertension and remanded claims for obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and individual unemployability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for PTSD to be readjudicated on the merits due to new and relevant evidence.
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