The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the right hand and a skin disability to include lichen planus, both claimed as due to exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
The deciding factor: The medical records did not show any chronic symptoms or diagnoses of the claimed conditions prior to their post-service onset and there was no nexus between the current conditions and military service.
- Claimed conditions
- neuropathy of the right hand, skin disability to include lichen planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20047155
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 20047155.
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: Partly granted
The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and cervical spine disability were dismissed. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied, as well as the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for hypertension was granted under the PACT Act.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's pituitary adenoma and secondary hypothyroidism are related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) and neuropathy of the right and left hands due to herbicide exposure are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the left hand, and neuropathy of the right hand have been denied. The VA has also remanded cases regarding a lower back disorder and neuralgia of the sciatic nerves in both legs.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right hand, and right lower extremity due to inadequate VA examination opinions.
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