The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, but denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy. The decision is based on the presumption that exposure to herbicides in Vietnam during service may cause early-onset peripheral neuropathy.
The deciding factor: There was a positive nexus opinion linking the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, despite the fact that the condition was not diagnosed until several years after separation from active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18110989
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 18110989.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, right ankle tendinopathy, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and knee joint osteoarthritis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for skin cancer and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B, finding that the evidence does not support a link between his condition and military service. The claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy, specifically whether it is related to his military service or his service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.