The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for lymphedema of both lower extremities.
The deciding factor: The objective medical evidence did not indicate stasis pigmentation or eczema, nor numbness or cold sensitivity with tissue loss, nail abnormalities, impaired sensation, color changes, hyperhidrosis, or x-ray abnormalities as required for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Lymphedema of the left lower extremity, Lymphedema of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2009
- Citation
- 0906584
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lymphedema of the right and left lower extremities, but remanded claims for other disabilities including a right hip disability, left hip disability, right ankle disability, neurological disorders, and general disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and lymphedema of the left lower extremity, with a 50 percent rating effective October 18, 2004, and a 20 percent rating for lymphedema.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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