The Board has determined that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) is established on a fact-found basis. The Board also finds that there is current evidence of peripheral neuropathy, and thus remands for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's presence near the base perimeter during a period when herbicide agents were used establishes his exposure on a fact-found basis. The Board finds that there has been a pre-decisional duty to assist error warranting a VA examination to determine if peripheral neuropathy is related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2021
- Citation
- A21020279
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 A21020279.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection and special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the left hand due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy.,The Board also denied service connection and SMC for loss of use of the right hand due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, have rendered her unable to complete daily activities without assistance. The Board has determined that she is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her physical incapacities.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the June 2025 AOJ decision regarding entitlement to service connection for disabilities caused by thyroid is dismissed. The AOJ's denial of other claims (bilateral knee, shoulder, hip, neuropathy, and stomach ulcer) is remanded.
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