The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy are not related to his active military service, including exposure to herbicides. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is more likely due to alcohol use and vitamin B12 deficiency.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is more likely caused by alcohol use and vitamin B12 deficiency rather than Agent Orange exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2015
- Citation
- 1539007
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1539007.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as service connected due to his in-service benzene exposure.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but dismissed the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a lumbar spine disability as moot.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claims for service connection for an eye condition, vertigo/dizziness, GERD/reflux, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right wrist degenerative joint disease, left wrist degenerative joint disease, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, a right foot condition, a left foot condition, and a right achilles tendon/ankle condition were denied. The claims for service connection for hypertensive heart disease/high blood pressure, sinusitis, headaches, allergic rhinitis, and a skin condition were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development, including providing notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing and determining whether an examination is necessary.
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