The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for distal neuropathy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, finding that there was no evidence of a direct causal relationship between the veteran's in-service symptoms and his current condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's in-service neuropathy symptoms were likely the initial manifestation of his CMT, but it was not as likely as not that his military service caused an increase in his symptoms beyond the natural progression of the disease. Additionally, there was no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current condition and his exposure to Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- distal neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2009
- Citation
- 0910747
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). The matter is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.
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