The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum VA opinion to address service connection for peripheral neuropathy and entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 2, 2016. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected PTSD and cocaine abuse.
The deciding factor: The Board found the existing opinions inadequate due to their failure to consider the Veteran's diagnosed substance abuse disorder (cocaine use associated with PTSD) and its potential impact on the development of peripheral neuropathy. The Board also noted that the Veteran's subjective accounts support his claim for service connection, despite the examiner's opinion that cocaine use is very rare in causing peripheral neuropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2024
- Citation
- 24004636
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,886 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 24004636.
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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