The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Raynaud's syndrome was received on November 29, 2013. The Board finds that the effective date cannot be earlier than this date as there is no evidence of record showing an increase in disability prior to this date.
The deciding factor: There are no documents or treatment records submitted that could be construed as an informal claim prior to November 29, 2013, and there is no competent evidence demonstrating that an increase in disability was factually ascertainable within one year prior to the receipt of the Veteran's claim for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Raynaud's syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 14, 2018
- Citation
- 1809787
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 1809787.
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 claim for earlier effective date for service connection of Raynaud's syndrome associated with frostbite is denied. The Board found that the issue was not reasonably raised at the time of the December 1986 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome, which manifested during service and has been continuously pursued since then, is granted an initial disability evaluation of 40 percent effective January 24, 2016.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to the need for medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxins during service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Raynaud's syndrome or residuals of a cold weather injury to the extremities, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.
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