The Board found that the veteran's current lower extremity conditions are not related to his service, specifically cold exposure in Alaska. The preponderance of evidence does not support a connection between the veteran's symptoms and his military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show any abnormality of the lower extremities during or shortly after the veteran's service, and there was no documented treatment for these conditions until the early 1990s.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic venous insufficiency, superficial thrombophlebitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 29, 2000
- Citation
- 0005474
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 0005474.
What this means for you
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The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues of service connection for chronic venous insufficiency and an increased rating for varicose veins. The AOJ must adjudicate both claims, request an addendum opinion from a VA examiner, and readjudicate the issue in light of all evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for athletic induced asthma, chronic venous insufficiency, GERD, and hypothyroidism as there was no evidence of current disabilities. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and fibromyalgia were remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for osteoarthritis, chronic venous insufficiency, seborrheic dermatitis, and porphyria cutanea tarda were denied. The issue of service connection for tremors was remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected chronic venous insufficiency, venous stasis ulcer, and stasis dermatitis are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.
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