The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent or 10 percent, respectively.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports and medical records showed mild to moderate varicose veins without significant edema, stasis pigmentation, or ulceration. The veteran's symptoms were primarily pain and cramping on exertion.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder disorder, varicose veins of the right leg, varicose veins of the left leg
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 15, 2005
- Citation
- 0503978
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 0503978.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, headache disorder, erectile dysfunction, left earache disorder, chronic fatigue, right shoulder disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, right foot disorder, GERD, and left shoulder disorder, as the evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinea pedis of the left foot and remanded claims for a bilateral foot disorder, cervical disorder, left shoulder disorder, lumbosacral disorder, right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and eardrum disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the claims for left shoulder disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to missing evidence.
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