The Board denied service connection for nerve damage due to Agent Orange exposure, as the Veteran's current disabilities did not manifest within a year of presumed exposure. The appeal was also denied for initial higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran’s current nerve conditions are related to service or Agent Orange exposure, including as they were not shown to have manifested within one year after presumed exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Nerve damage, Bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19133218
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the petitions to reopen previously denied claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and rash over the entire torso, based on new and material evidence. The claims for service connection were remanded for further consideration.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, eligibility for specially adapted housing, and had his appeal for a special home adaptation grant dismissed. The issues related to Parkinson's disease tremors were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of a nexus opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in the right knee, degenerative arthritis in the lower back, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for an eye disorder was denied.
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