The veteran's combined disability rating for all service-connected disabilities was properly calculated as 50 percent, and he is not entitled to a higher combined rating by operation of law.
The deciding factor: The calculation of the combined schedular rating does not operate by way of simply adding all separate disability percentages; the RO's calculation was proper.
- Claimed conditions
- Frostbite of the left hand, Frostbite of the right hand, Frostbite of the left foot, Frostbite of the right foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2008
- Citation
- 0815809
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 609 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0815809.
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: Dismissed
The appeals for ratings and effective dates associated with frostbite of the left and right feet, as well as lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, were dismissed. The issues related to knee limitations and TDIU are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability, rhinitis, and other conditions. The VA will attempt to obtain relevant private treatment records from WHC and Dr. S., as well as any outstanding VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled for these claims.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service injuries and exposure. The cases are returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, arthritis, frostbite, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.
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