The Board finds that the appellant sustained cold injury during active service and, considering all evidence of record, including his in-service exposure to subfreezing temperatures without adequate protection, as well as post-service medical records showing symptoms consistent with cold injury residuals, there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for residuals of cold injury to the upper and lower extremities. The Board also finds that the appellant's current low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and heart disability are related to his in-service exposure to subfreezing temperatures.
The deciding factor: The appellant served as a combat infantryman in Korea during the Winter of 1950 where he experienced prolonged exposure to subfreezing temperatures without adequate protection. Post-service medical records show symptoms consistent with cold injury residuals, including pain and numbness in his upper and lower extremities. The Board finds that these symptoms are related to his in-service exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of Cold Injury to the Upper and Lower Extremities, Low Back Disability, Bilateral Hip Disability, Heart Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2011
- Citation
- 1104551
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 1104551.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's heart disability has been rated at 100% from September 12, 2022 to August 18, 2023. He is also eligible for special monthly compensation and Dependents' Educational Assistance during this period.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
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