{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/cold-injury-residuals","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:20.727Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Cold injury residuals","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":2008,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":35.9,"remanded_pct":46.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":32.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":333,"granted_pct":17.4,"denied_pct":33.6,"remanded_pct":44.1},{"year":2018,"issues":481,"granted_pct":13.9,"denied_pct":39.9,"remanded_pct":44.3},{"year":2019,"issues":517,"granted_pct":14.7,"denied_pct":37.3,"remanded_pct":43.9},{"year":2020,"issues":483,"granted_pct":17.8,"denied_pct":38.5,"remanded_pct":41.2},{"year":2021,"issues":342,"granted_pct":19.9,"denied_pct":36.8,"remanded_pct":41.5},{"year":2022,"issues":414,"granted_pct":24.4,"denied_pct":25.6,"remanded_pct":49},{"year":2023,"issues":323,"granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":28.8,"remanded_pct":54.5},{"year":2024,"issues":289,"granted_pct":18.7,"denied_pct":37,"remanded_pct":43.3},{"year":2025,"issues":228,"granted_pct":25,"denied_pct":36,"remanded_pct":36.8},{"year":2026,"issues":108,"granted_pct":15.7,"denied_pct":49.1,"remanded_pct":31.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":237,"granted_pct_with":62,"granted_pct_without":26.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1331,"granted_pct_with":29.5,"granted_pct_without":40.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":281,"granted_pct_with":65,"granted_pct_without":24.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":916,"granted_pct_with":27.9,"granted_pct_without":36.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":512,"granted_pct_with":46.1,"granted_pct_without":26.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":85,"granted_pct_with":54.5,"granted_pct_without":31.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1725,"granted_pct_with":32.5,"granted_pct_without":30.1},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":99,"granted_pct_with":46,"granted_pct_without":31.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":133,"granted_pct_with":42.2,"granted_pct_without":31.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":40},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":10},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":5},{"reason":"credible lay statements","decisions":3},{"reason":"meets criteria for 30% rating under dc 7122","decisions":3},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":137},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":68},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":60},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":49},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":42},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":33}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26033104","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. WILSON","rationale":"AOJ conceded frostbite diagnosis; Veteran credibly testified to frostbite onset and symptoms; VA examiner's negative opinion given little weight due to reliance on absence of complaints; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26028932","year":2026,"judge":"R. BISIGNANI","rationale":"Current disability established; Service treatment records silent regarding cold injury; Credible lay testimony regarding frostbite during Army Ranger School in 1969; Military personnel records corroborate attendance at Ranger School; Established in-service injury; Veteran's statements regarding cont… [truncated, 168 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26024857","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTIN HADDOCK","rationale":"Service treatment records confirm in-service treatment for frostbite; Inadequate VA examination failed to consider lay statements and provide nexus; Later VA evidence confirmed disability and provided positive nexus"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040848","year":2026,"judge":"K. CONNER","rationale":"No new and relevant evidence submitted; STRs did not document complaint, treatment, or diagnosis of cold injury; Post-service records silent for residuals of cold injury"},{"case_id":"26005120","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"No current diagnosis of frostbite residuals; Service treatment records silent for frostbite complaints; VA examinations found no current disability; Lay testimony not competent for diagnosis"},{"case_id":"26004317","year":2026,"judge":"TANYA SMITH","rationale":"Service connection for primary disability (lymphoma) denied.; No evidence of in-service onset or service relation for cold sensitivity.; Benefit of the doubt doctrine does not apply."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}