The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, as well as radiculopathy of both upper extremities and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities. However, the claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) was denied.

The deciding factor: The evidence is approximately balanced on whether the Veteran's BPH condition developed over time due to his service or as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange, but it did not manifest in service and there is no direct link to an event or incident during service. The cervical spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, along with radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, were granted based on the evidence supporting their secondary nature to the Veteran's now-service-connected conditions.

Claimed conditions

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH), Cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease (DDD), Radiculopathy of the RIGHT upper extremity, Radiculopathy of the LEFT upper extremity, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the RIGHT upper extremity, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the LEFT upper extremity

How they argued it

Not specified

Exposure basis

Agent Orange / herbicides

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

March 3, 2025

Citation

25002995

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