The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet due to a lack of evidence linking current foot disabilities to an in-service injury.
The deciding factor: There was no competent evidence or medical opinion linking the veteran's current foot disorders, diagnosed as tinea pedis and neuropathy, to active duty service. The first objective manifestations of a foot disorder were in 2003, 20 years after service, which provides negative evidence against the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of frostbite of the feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 26, 2009
- Citation
- 0902574
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,582 · Granted: 32% (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 0902574.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's foot disabilities, including whether they are related to his service in Korea.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability is dismissed. The issues of service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet are denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO for further action, including scheduling a hearing at his correctional facility or accommodating his request through other means. The case will be returned to the Board if necessary.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and he was also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
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