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 assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2008
- Citation
- 0815809
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 609 · Granted: 22% (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 0815809.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.