The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the left and right lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between the conditions and service or any recognized exposure basis.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish a direct causation link between PN and herbicide exposure in Vietnam, nor did it show continuity of symptomatology since service. The Board found that the Veteran's lay statements were not competent to diagnose or provide etiological opinions regarding his conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the left lower extremity (LLE), Peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the right lower extremity (RLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20065859
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,162 · Granted: 21% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20065859.
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
Service connection is granted for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, peritoneal adhesions, and chronic kidney disease stage 2. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral inguinal hernia, hiatal hernia, and small bowel resection are remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as the right and left upper extremities. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial in March 2015.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further development regarding service connection, ratings for femoral nerve disorders, and etiology of right hip disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and gastrointestinal disability due to exposure in Southwest Asia, as they are not clear on the record.
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