The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy, below the knee amputation (left), and amputated toes on the right foot are related to exposure to extreme cold during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports the veteran's allegation of exposure to extreme cold in Korea, which led to permanent damage to his peripheral circulation resulting in diabetic vascular complications such as neuropathy and amputations.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral peripheral neuropathy, below the knee amputation (left), amputated toes (right foot)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2006
- Citation
- 0600319
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,440 · Granted: 30% (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 0600319.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of a current disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities significantly contributed to his loss of use of both hands, requiring regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on one service-connected condition, and his conditions do not independently warrant SMC.
- Granted
The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and chronic renal disease are part of a single disease process. The Board granted SMC at the housebound rate from April 21, 2023, based on his service-connected disabilities that are not part of the diabetic process.
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