The Veteran's varicose veins of the left lower extremity were rated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 11, 2006 and as 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left knee was rated as 10 percent disabling since July 11, 2006.,The Board found that an increased rating for varicose veins prior to July 11, 2006 and for post-traumatic degenerative arthritis beginning July 11, 2006 is not warranted under the applicable criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left leg varicose veins were rated as moderate with symptoms of cramping and pain on exertion prior to July 11, 2006. The current version of Diagnostic Code 7120 does not provide for a rating in excess of 10 percent under these circumstances. For the period beginning July 11, 2006, the Veteran's left leg varicose veins were rated as moderate with symptoms of chronic and persistent pain that worsened with walking and standing. The current version of Diagnostic Code 7120 does not provide for a rating in excess of 20 percent under these circumstances.
- Claimed conditions
- Varicose veins of the left lower extremity, Post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2010
- Citation
- 1018679
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 1018679.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable evaluations for right knee scars and residuals of right knee injury post-operative arthroscopy, extension have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has also been dismissed.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of both lower extremities, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service or any service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities have been granted. The Board also dismissed the claim for a left shoulder disability, as it was withdrawn by the Veteran during his August 2022 hearing. The neck disability and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity secondary to the neck disability are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's request for a restoration of the 40 percent disability rating for his service-connected varicose veins of the left lower extremity is granted. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for this condition is remanded due to lack of proper procedural steps in reducing the rating.
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