The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower extremity symptoms and considering additional lay evidence provided after the November 2010 VA examination.
The deciding factor: The rationale provided by the November 2011 examiner was inadequate to make a fully informed decision on the claim without prejudice to the Veteran. Additional evidence in the record supports the Veteran's claim, including statements from his family members and articles related to exposure to cold resulting in symptoms similar to those of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- cold injury residuals of the lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 14, 2014
- Citation
- 1431533
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 1431533.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's cold injury residuals of the lower extremities, specifically cold sensitivity of the feet, are found to have been incurred during service due to exposure to extreme cold weather. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were contributory to his death.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's authorized representative.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation due to need for aid and assistance/housebound or specially adapted housing. The claim for assistance in acquiring automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is also denied.
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