The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service, and it is not related to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability was granted with a 40% rating effective March 2, 2017. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating remains pending as the current rating does not meet his expectations.,The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a 50% initial rating effective March 2, 2017, with no further increase sought.,The Veteran's status post shrapnel wound to the lower left abdomen/groin with damage to the ilioinguinal nerve was not granted an increased rating as his disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on severity or incapacitating episodes.,Service connection for total disability due to service-connected disabilities was granted, but no effective date prior to March 2, 2017 is awarded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and lumbar spine disability were not shown during service or within one year after service. The current evidence does not support a nexus between the conditions and herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy, Lumbar spine disability (degenerative disc disease), Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Status post shrapnel wound to the lower left abdomen/groin with ilioinguinal nerve damage
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19156036
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 19156036.
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 Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
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