The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as alopecia areata (claimed as hair loss), were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in either upper extremity or lower extremity, and that any diagnosed left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy was not related to service, including exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy was not related to service, including exposure to herbicides, due to its onset several years after discharge.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral Neuropathy of the Upper Extremities, Alopecia Areata
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 26, 2010
- Citation
- 1019589
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1019589.
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 Veteran's claim for a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia and alopecia areata was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of her symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent disability rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar strain, GERD, migraines, and alopecia areata were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for these conditions have not been established.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, is rated at 50 percent and denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's alopecia areata is currently rated noncompensable and denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his functional impairments due to service-connected disabilities.
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