The Board finds that the veteran's current residuals of frozen feet, including numbness and temperature sensitivity, are due to a cold injury sustained during service. By extending the benefit of the doubt to the veteran, the claim for service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's assertions regarding his exposure to cold weather in service were credible based on his DD Form 214 and lay statements from fellow servicemen. The medical evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether the current symptoms are related to a history of frostbite in service.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of frozen feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2002
- Citation
- 0203705
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0203705.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frozen feet, residuals of frozen hands, a back disability (to include arthritis), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a mouth sore disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions were incurred in or due to his time in service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death while the case was pending before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for residuals of frozen feet in June 1985, concluding that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection. The Veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.