The Veteran seeks service connection for left leg varicose veins and venous insufficiency, which he claims are related to a deep vein thrombosis diagnosed in December 1997. The Board has determined that VA should provide the Veteran with a VA examination as there is an indication the disabilities claimed may be related to service but insufficient competent medical evidence to make a decision on the two claims.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's testimony of prolonged sitting during military training exercises and his lay opinion regarding the relationship between service and the current varicose veins and venous insufficiency are considered, along with the need for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and workers' compensation records.
- Claimed conditions
- left leg varicose veins, left leg venous insufficiency
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2013
- Citation
- 1312602
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 1312602.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left hip joint replacement with end-stage degenerative joint disease and left leg varicose veins, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to his active duty service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spondylosis with cervical strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left leg varicose veins have been dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for further development, specifically to obtain an adequate VA examination that considers the Veteran's lay statements and without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he is on.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right leg varicose veins to obtain an additional medical opinion regarding their etiology, specifically addressing whether they are related to the Veteran's military service.
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