The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various service-connected conditions, including frostbite residuals of the upper and lower extremities, left hip strain, tinnitus, depressive and alcohol use disorders, radiculopathy, anosmia, right upper eyelid scar, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral strain.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date for the veteran's service-connected conditions as of December 22, 2021, based on the criteria outlined in the applicable diagnostic codes.

Claimed conditions

Frostbite residuals of the bilateral upper extremities, Frostbite residuals of the bilateral lower extremities, Left hip strain with impairment and limitation of extension, Bilateral tinnitus, Unspecified depressive and alcohol use disorders, Right upper extremity (RUE) radiculopathy, Anosmia (loss of smell), Right upper eyelid scar, Cervical spine disability DA with spondylosis and stenosis, Lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

March 6, 2025

Citation

A25020933

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