The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity neuropathy, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicides, but the Board found insufficient evidence that his current symptoms are related to this exposure.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have any complaints or treatment for neurological symptoms during service and his separation examination was normal. His current neuropathy is diagnosed as idiopathic peripheral neuropathy with no clear link to presumed Agent Orange exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, Bilateral upper extremity neurological disability (including neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20044610
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 20044610.
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's service-connected conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, right ankle condition, and tinnitus, caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 16, 2024. The Board granted TDIU based on the cumulative effects of his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy, to obtain additional evidence and a new medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability and service connection for various conditions, as additional development is necessary.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and prostate cancer due to duty to assist errors.
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