The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the condition is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosis of bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not a diagnosis of early-onset peripheral neuropathy and is therefore not on the list of diseases that VA has associated with herbicide agent exposure. However, after due consideration of the evidence in the claims record, which includes a rationale that can reasonably be interpreted to find that herbicide agent exposure was at least a partial contributor to the Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, the Board will give the Veteran the benefit of the doubt.

Claimed conditions

bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

Agent Orange / herbicides

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 16, 2025

Citation

25000613

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