The veteran's claim for service connection for herpes zoster was denied. His varicose veins of both legs are currently rated at 40% each, but he is not entitled to higher initial ratings.
The deciding factor: Herpes zoster was found to be a reactivation of a childhood infection and not related to the veteran's period of service. The veteran's current varicose veins disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of persistent ulceration.
- Claimed conditions
- Herpes zoster, Varicose veins
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2006
- Citation
- 0603051
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,776 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0603051.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension and granted service connection for varicose veins on a secondary basis to hypertension.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's limitations in performing activities of daily living are consistent with being unable to sustain himself in the community, warranting Tier 2 benefits under the PCAFC program.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right ankle disability and denied service connection for varicose veins secondary to her right ankle disability.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during its pendency.
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