---
title: "DC 7122 - Cold injury residuals"
diagnostic_code: "7122"
body_system: "Cardiovascular System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.104"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/cardiovascular/7122-cold-injury-residuals"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:19:49.190747Z"
---

# DC 7122 - Cold injury residuals

Rated under § 4.104. Body system: Cardiovascular System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 30% | Arthralgia or other pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity plus two or more of the following: Tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, anhydrosis, X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched-out lesions, or osteoarthritis), atrophy or fibrosis of the affected musculature, flexion or extension deformity of distal joints, volar fat pad loss in fingers or toes, avascular necrosis of bone, chronic ulceration, carpal or tarsal tunnel syndrome |
| 20% | Arthralgia or other pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity plus one of the following: Tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, anhydrosis, X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched-out lesions, or osteoarthritis), atrophy or fibrosis of the affected musculature, flexion or extension deformity of distal joints, volar fat pad loss in fingers or toes, avascular necrosis of bone, chronic ulceration, carpal or tarsal tunnel syndrome |
| 10% | Arthralgia or other pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity |

## Notes

- Note (1): Separately evaluate amputations of fingers or toes, and complications such as squamous cell carcinoma at the site of a cold injury scar or peripheral neuropathy, under other diagnostic codes. Separately evaluate other disabilities diagnosed as the residual effects of cold injury, such as Raynaud's syndrome (which is otherwise known as secondary Raynaud's phenomenon), muscle atrophy, etc., unless they are used to support an evaluation under diagnostic code 7122.
- Note (2): Evaluate each affected part (e.g., hand, foot, ear, nose) separately and combine the ratings in accordance with §§ 4.25 and 4.26.

# Cold Injury Residuals — VA Diagnostic Code 7122

**Understanding how the VA rates the lasting effects of cold injuries.**

*Rated under 38 CFR § 4.104 — Cardiovascular System*

---

## What This Condition Is

Cold injury residuals are the lasting symptoms and complications that can remain after exposure to cold — such as frostbite or other cold-related injuries. Even after the initial injury heals, some people continue to experience effects in the affected areas, which commonly include the hands, feet, ears, and nose.

Under Diagnostic Code 7122, the VA looks at symptoms like joint pain (arthralgia) or other pain, numbness, and cold sensitivity, along with a range of physical changes in the affected body part.

---

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a rating based on the combination of symptoms present in each affected part.

### 10%
Arthralgia or other pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity.

### 20%
Arthralgia or other pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity, **plus one** of the following:

- Tissue loss
- Nail abnormalities
- Color changes
- Locally impaired sensation
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) or anhydrosis (lack of sweating)
- X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched-out lesions, or osteoarthritis)
- Atrophy or fibrosis of the affected musculature
- Flexion or extension deformity of distal joints
- Volar fat pad loss in fingers or toes
- Avascular necrosis of bone
- Chronic ulceration
- Carpal or tarsal tunnel syndrome

### 30%
Arthralgia or other pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity, **plus two or more** of the items listed above.

---

## What the VA Looks For

- **The core symptoms:** pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity in the affected area.
- **Additional physical findings:** the higher rating levels depend on how many of the additional complications (listed above) are present alongside the core symptoms.
- **Each part evaluated separately:** The VA evaluates each affected part — for example, each hand, foot, ear, or nose — separately, then combines the ratings under §§ 4.25 and 4.26.

---

## Important Notes

- **Separate evaluations for certain conditions.** Amputations of fingers or toes, and complications such as squamous cell carcinoma at the site of a cold injury scar or peripheral neuropathy, are evaluated separately under other diagnostic codes.
- **Other residual effects.** Other disabilities diagnosed as residual effects of cold injury — such as Raynaud's syndrome (also known as secondary Raynaud's phenomenon), muscle atrophy, and similar conditions — are evaluated separately, unless they are already being used to support an evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7122.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104