The Board denied service connection for frostbite residuals of both the left and right feet due to a lack of current disability, as there is no evidence of frostbite injury or residuals during service. The Veteran's lay statements were not considered competent medical evidence.
The deciding factor: There was no current diagnosis of frostbite residuals in either foot, and the separation examination did not show any signs of frostbite injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- frostbite residuals of the left foot, frostbite residuals of the right foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18154646
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 18154646.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for frostbite residuals of the right foot and left foot, finding that there is a current diagnosis, an in-service event (cold weather training), and a nexus between the two.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a keloid scar of the neck was granted. Service connection for this condition is also granted. The Board has remanded the issues regarding back and right foot disorders due to incomplete STRs.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for frostbite residuals of the left foot, finding that there is no nexus between his current disabilities and his in-service occurrence. The new evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's frostbite residuals of the left foot, right foot, and right lower leg burn are remanded for further examination.
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