The Board found that the Veteran's polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities did not become manifest during service or within one year after discharge, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The condition was diagnosed many years after service and is considered idiopathic, thus not related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's polyneuropathy does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure or as a chronic disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a). The condition was diagnosed many years after service and is considered idiopathic, thus not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 4, 2017
- Citation
- 1714788
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 1714788.
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: Granted
The Board granted service connection for polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as due to herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus, TDIU prior to October 30, 2018, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and deck logs, as well as a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's polyneuropathy is related to his service. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.
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