The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right thigh puncture wound is not shown to warrant a compensable evaluation, while the lymphatic and venous damage of the right thigh are only rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the right thigh puncture wound involved more than slight muscle damage with no other impairment. The veteran's lymphatic and venous damage were shown to result in persistent edema without stasis pigmentation or eczema, warranting a 20 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Right thigh puncture wound, Varicose veins of the right leg
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2003
- Citation
- 0327702
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0327702.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities including varicose veins and Major Depressive Disorder, which may render him unemployable.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for varicose veins of the right and left legs, but denied service connection for a gynecological disorder, to include residuals of total hysterectomy.
- Whole decision: Denied
The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a thyroid disorder is denied. The claims for increased ratings for left ankle, left foot, and varicose veins of the legs are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand two separate claims for increased ratings of varicose veins of the left and right legs due to insufficient evidence from a previous VA examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.