The Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals of the bilateral lower extremities are rated at 30 percent effective December 5, 1945 to January 12, 1998. Effective on and after January 12, 1998, his right and left lower extremities are each rated at 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show loss of toes or parts with persistent severe symptoms, which would warrant a higher rating under the old criteria for cold injury residuals. The new criteria became effective on January 12, 1998 and were applied retroactively to this claim period.
- Claimed conditions
- Cold Injury Residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19132297
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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