The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service or any presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking the peripheral neuropathy to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy did not follow the usual effects of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and was more likely related to a long-standing idiopathic condition rather than his diabetes mellitus or herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20074697
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to a need for further clarity on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions of CAD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right and left foot disabilities with toe amputations, right and left leg scars, knee disability, and altered gait due to a need for further development.
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