The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, diabetes mellitus, Type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, soft tissue sarcomas, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents in service or a nexus between these conditions and active duty.,The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic neck disability within one year after discharge from service, nor any indication of such condition during service. There is also no medical evidence linking the current disabilities to service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection as there was insufficient evidence linking his current conditions to his period of active duty.,There was no evidence of chronic neck disability within one year after discharge from service, nor any indication of such condition during service. The Board also found that there is no medical evidence linking the current disabilities to service.
- Claimed conditions
- neck condition, diabetes mellitus, Type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, soft tissue sarcomas, prostate cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20049521
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 20049521.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, bone cancer, and lymph node cancer has been granted. The prostate cancer is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure during service at RTAFB Takhli. Bone cancer is secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer. Lymph node cancer is also considered secondary to prostate cancer.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer but remanded the claim for PTSD due to insufficient verification of stressor incidents.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.