The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hand or foot disability related to cold weather exposure during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of residuals from in-service cold injury, with the examiner noting that cold injuries may result in irreversible lifetime wounds and progressive worsening over time. The Veteran's current symptoms were more likely due to degenerative joint disease related to aging and occupational risk factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hand disorder, Bilateral foot disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2018
- Citation
- 1819237
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 1819237.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions. The issues include PTSD, neck disorder, back disorder, left-hand disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and bilateral knee disorders.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection, and he is assigned a noncompensable initial disability rating for right hip dysplasia with limitation of adduction. The claim for bilateral foot disorder is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings are dismissed due to untimely filing of his Notice of Disagreement. The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, rating determinations, and other claims.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The appeal was denied for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, and several claims were remanded for further development.
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