The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of use of both legs and an initial compensable rating for cold weather injury, as well as his request for an effective date prior to May 14, 2001. The TDIU claim was also denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's loss of use of both legs is not related to service and that the residuals of cold weather injury are manifested by diminished lower extremity circulation, warranting a 10% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7122. The effective date for service connection was denied as there was no evidence showing entitlement prior to May 14, 2001.
- Claimed conditions
- loss of use of both legs, cold weather injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2003
- Citation
- 0335461
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 0335461.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 Board denied service connection for cold weather injury, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), and conditions of the ankles, shoulders, and left hand due to a lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or current diagnosis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional error regarding where the Veteran resided since June 1, 2017. The AOJ needs to determine this and adjust the benefits accordingly.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further consideration due to insufficient medical evidence and legal standards not being addressed. The Veteran needs new medical examinations to determine if they meet criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a foot, both feet, or both legs; SMC for aid and attendance; and SMC housebound.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cold weather injury or related symptoms, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.
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