The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for the service-connected varicose veins of each lower extremity, as they are shown to be productive of manifestations above and below the knee with edema that is incompletely relieved by elevation.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed varicose veins above and below the knee, but noted that the veteran's edema was relieved by elevation of the feet. The Board found these findings more nearly approximated persistent edema incompletely relieved by elevation under the revised rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral varicose veins
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 3, 2004
- Citation
- 0429656
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 0429656.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral varicose veins due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no direct evidence linking his conditions to his active service.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for hyperlipidemia and right ear hearing loss, but remanded claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diabetes mellitus type II, mixed component of obstructive and central sleep apnea, and bilateral varicose veins.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC), due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities related to service or functional impairment.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and bilateral varicose veins, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.
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.