The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg varicose veins are not etiologically related to his service, and specifically to his service-connected left leg varicose veins. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection either.
The deciding factor: The July 2013 VA examination concluded that the current right leg varicose veins are less likely than not caused by the vein-harvesting procedure performed in service, and more likely due to other risk factors such as obesity and prolonged standing.
- Claimed conditions
- right leg varicose veins
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2014
- Citation
- 1411087
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1411087.
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: Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left wrist disability, right leg varicose veins, and right great toe ingrown toenail were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings are appropriate.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on the claims. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, migraine including migraine variants, obstructive sleep apnea, and right leg varicose veins. The diagnoses are related to the Veteran's in-service experiences and/or his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: 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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