The Board denied increased ratings for cold injury residuals of the right and left hands, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7122.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no amputations or tissue loss, no Raynaud's syndrome, no hyperhidrosis, and no chronic pain resembling causalgia or reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The Veteran's symptoms were primarily cold sensitivity, numbness, burning, paresthesias, stiffness, and a cold feeling during all seasons.
- Claimed conditions
- Cold injury residuals of the right hand, Cold injury residuals of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2012
- Citation
- 1225174
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1225174.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cold injury disabilities to his hands and feet are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of cold injury to the feet and hands have been denied as there is no evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to his November 5, 2014 application date.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD, left and right hand peripheral neuropathy, and cold injury residuals of the hands have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned initial ratings for his conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cold injury residuals of his hands and feet, as well as a compensable rating for Raynaud's syndrome without gangrene. The Veteran was also denied service connection for dermatitis.
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