The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain an examination regarding the etiology of any diagnosed frostbite residuals. The Veteran reported symptoms consistent with frostbite originating during service.
The deciding factor: There was a failure to obtain a medical examination determining the etiology of any diagnosed frostbite residuals.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot frostbite, right foot frostbite
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2020
- Citation
- A20016447
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A20016447.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected left foot frostbite residuals are rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a 30 percent rating based on additional symptoms such as arthralgia, cold sensitivity, numbness, locally impaired sensation, and nail abnormalities.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines, right foot frostbite, and left foot frostbite as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right foot frostbite have been granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current symptoms are related to cold injury sustained during active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's migraines are granted service connection. The PTSD, right and left foot frostbite claims are remanded for further examination and opinion. TDIU is also remanded due to the impact on PTSD.
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