The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and lung disability, have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.,Service connection is only granted if there is medical evidence linking the current condition to an injury or disease incurred during active duty. The Veteran's claims are based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange (AO) herbicides, but the Board found no direct link between any claimed conditions and service.

The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any of the Veteran’s claimed conditions had their onset during active duty or within one year after discharge. The separation examination did not document any abnormalities in the upper or lower extremities, nor was there any indication of peripheral neuropathy at that time.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine disability), Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Left hip degenerative changes status post total left hip arthroplasty (left hip disability), Left knee osteoarthritis status post total left knee arthroplasty (left knee disability), Lung disability, diagnosed as a pulmonary embolism, Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, Prostate hypertrophy, Right hip disability, Right knee osteoarthritis status post total right knee arthroplasty (right knee disability)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

May 8, 2019

Citation

19135609

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 19135609.