The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for cracked ribs has been denied as there is no evidence of rib removal or resection without regeneration.,Service connection for lung conditions (COPD and Bronchiectasis) and back condition (Cracked Vertebra and Degenerative Joint Disease) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Cold injury residuals of bilateral feet, hands, and face have been remanded as there is insufficient evidence on file to determine if they are related to service.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for cracked ribs was denied because the evidence did not show that any ribs had been removed or resected without regeneration.,Service connection for lung conditions and back condition were remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service, including exposure to fuels in the motor pool and cold weather exposure during service.,Cold injury residuals of bilateral feet, hands, and face have been remanded because there is no documentation of treatment or diagnosis from service.

Claimed conditions

{"condition_name":"Cracked Ribs","diagnosis_codes":["5297"]}, {"condition_name":"Lung Condition (COPD and Bronchiectasis)","diagnosis_codes":[]}, {"condition_name":"Back Condition (Cracked Vertebra and Degenerative Joint Disease)","diagnosis_codes":["5293"]}, {"condition_name":"Cold Injury Residuals - Bilateral Feet","diagnosis_codes":[]}, {"condition_name":"Cold Injury Residuals - Bilateral Hands","diagnosis_codes":[]}, {"condition_name":"Cold Injury Residuals - Face","diagnosis_codes":[]}

How they argued it

Not specified

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 18, 2019

Citation

19179591