Service connection is granted for rheumatoid arthritis of the joints.,Service connection is granted for early onset peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is granted for DDD of the cervical spine.,The claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is remanded.,The claims for service connection for neurological disorders of the right and left upper extremities are remanded.,The claims for service connection for difficulty breathing and extreme tiredness are remanded.,,
The deciding factor: Service connection is granted as there is evidence of current disability, in-service disease or injury, and a nexus between the two.,Early onset peripheral neuropathy is presumed due to herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service.,An additional VA examination is needed to determine the severity of the lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's neurological disorders are not related to his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine, but may be due to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's difficulty breathing and extreme tiredness are not related to his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine, but may be due to herbicide exposure during service.,,
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of the joints, early onset peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, DDD of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21040467
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 21040467.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was continuously pursued, and the appellant is eligible to charge agent fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the June 2024 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and procedural issues.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for tension headaches, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, DDD of the cervical spine, and voiding dysfunction.
- Granted
The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 5, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities.
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