The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for polyarteritis nodosa, pemphigus foliaceous, erectile dysfunction with loss of use of a creative organ, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as they were not shown to be related to his active service or in-service herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his active service or in-service herbicide exposure, and there was a significant lapse in time between his separation from service and the first diagnosis of these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Polyarteritis nodosa, Pemphigus foliaceous, Erectile dysfunction with loss of use of a creative organ, Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2009
- Citation
- 0901698
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 service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and skeletal arthritis as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including Fournier's gangrene of the scrotum with loss of right testicle, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anal fistula, Hepatitis B & C, GERD, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, due to a need for additional development regarding herbicide agent and ionizing radiation exposure.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for migraines and posttraumatic chronic labyrinthitis, but denied service connection for TBI with cognitive disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral eye conditions, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and erectile dysfunction.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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