The Board denied service connection for frostbite of the hands as there is no current diagnosis related to the cold exposure event during service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the appellant did not suffer frostbite and that his arthritis, numbness, and skin symptoms are more likely due to aging rather than a cold exposure event during service.
- Claimed conditions
- frostbite of the hands
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19147657
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for frostbite of the hands and feet for issuance of a Statement of the Case.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The back condition and frostbite of the hands and feet were remanded for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, frostbite of the feet, frostbite of the hands, headaches, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.