The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite affecting both the right and left hands, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to extreme cold temperatures.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence shows no intercurrent nonservice-connected cause for the Veteran's bilateral-hand symptoms and identifies them as being related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of frostbite of the right hand, residuals of frostbite of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18143385
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 18143385.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of his left hand is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an opinion addressing the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected frostbite residuals of the hands and feet are being remanded for further evaluation as his symptoms have worsened since the last examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, kidney transplant and residuals thereof, neck artery disability, leg bypass surgery and residuals thereof, left leg to right leg artery transplant and residuals thereof, and frostbite of hands and feet. The Veteran's service records are unavailable due to a fire, but VA must assist in the development of his claim.
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