The Board denied service connection for frostbite of the legs, frostbite of the left hand, degenerative joint disease of the hands (claimed as arthritis secondary to frostbite), back disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as arms condition secondary to frostbite), diffuse calcification, peripheral vascular disease, of the left radial and ulnar arteries (claimed as arms condition and circulatory problems secondary to frostbite), peripheral vascular disease of the legs (claimed as circulatory problems secondary to frostbite), and calcaneal spurs, degenerative joint disease, of the feet (claimed as secondary to frostbite).

The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's claims lacked credibility due to his vague recollection of a cold injury at an indeterminate point during service and his failure to report or seek treatment for such injuries. The examiner's opinions were deemed not probative due to the presence of other factors that could also account for the Veteran's symptoms.

Claimed conditions

frostbite of the legs, frostbite of the left hand, degenerative joint disease of the hands (claimed as arthritis secondary to frostbite), back disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as arms condition secondary to frostbite), diffuse calcification, peripheral vascular disease, of the left radial and ulnar arteries (claimed as arms condition and circulatory problems secondary to frostbite), peripheral vascular disease of the legs (claimed as circulatory problems secondary to frostbite), calcaneal spurs, degenerative joint disease, of the feet (claimed as secondary to frostbite)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

March 4, 2009

Citation

0907861

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 0907861.