The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings in excess of 30 percent for cold injury residuals to the left and right hands, including peripheral neuropathy, is being remanded due to a missed VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after scheduling a new VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to appear at the scheduled VA examination, which was necessary to determine the current severity of his service-connected cold injury residuals and associated peripheral neuropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- left hand cold injury residuals, right hand cold injury residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2015
- Citation
- 1551698
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 1551698.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 Board denied service connection for cold injury residuals of the bilateral feet and hands due to a lack of evidence showing frostbite injuries during service, and found that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his in-service frostbite.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues related to cold injury residuals, including right and left hand and foot cold injuries, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case must be returned to the RO for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for cold injury residuals of the hands and feet, as well as Raynaud's disease, are granted. The Veteran's claim for a neck condition (claimed as car wreck) is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals of his right and left hands due to a duty to assist error in obtaining missing service records. The Veteran is entitled to an examination to determine if he currently has residuals from cold injuries, and any etiology.
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