Citation Nr: 20021090 Decision Date: 03/24/20 Archive Date: 03/24/20 DOCKET NO. 17-25 676 DATE: March 24, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for residuals of right and left hand frostbite is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for residuals of right and left foot frostbite is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Army as an enlisted soldier from July 1993 to July 2005 and as a chief warrant officer from July 2005 to July 2013 with service in Southwest Asia. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. 1. Entitlement to service connection for residuals of right and left hand frostbite. 2. Entitlement to service connection for residuals of right and left foot left frostbite. The Veteran contends that service connection is warranted for residuals of right and left hand and right and left foot frostbite. The Veteran reports that while he was stationed in Alaska he was exposed to extreme temperatures, suffered from frostbite and has experienced ongoing symptoms. Service personnel records do show service in Alaska, but service treatment records are silent for these disorders. The Veteran listed 23 medical issues in an April 2013 retirement medical history questionnaire but did not note issues with the hands and feet. In a December 2015 notice of disagreement, the Veteran reported that he did not seek treatment for what he described as mild frostbite after cold exposure during field exercises and described his current hands and feet symptoms. In addition, the Veteran submitted private treatment records noting a diagnosis of Raynaud’s disease and neuropathy. The Veteran contends that symptoms of this disorder arose to a compensable degree within one year of his retirement from active duty. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of frostbite of the right and left hands and right and left feet including whether Raynaud’s disease is a residual of cold exposure or that it manifested within one year of discharge because no VA examiner has opined as to direct service connection. As such a remand is warranted for a VA examination. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of right and left hand and right and left foot frostbite and Raynaud’s disease. The examiner must opine whether: (a.) Identify any current residuals of right and left hands and feet and residuals of frostbite, including Raynaud’s disease and neuropathy. (b.) Is it at least as likely as not (a 50 percent probability) or greater that the Veteran’s current residuals of frostbite and Raynaud’s disease was caused by an in-service injury or disease, to include exposure to cold weather in Alaska? Review of the entire claims file is required. The examiner must provide a complete rationale for all findings and opinions, and a discussion of the facts and medical principles involved would be of considerable assistance to the Board. Private treatment records note ongoing symptoms of numbness and pain and Raynaud’s disease and neuropathy. In addition, the Veteran reports several instances of frostbite in-service while performing his duties stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Attention is also invited to the Veteran’s lay contentions noting ongoing symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling and regular increased sensitivity to cold weather and exposure to cold. J.W. FRANCIS Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board K. Kardian, Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.