The Board found that the Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg and right leg, as well as his erectile dysfunction disorder resulting in penile implant, were not caused or aggravated by any incident in service. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his service-connected shell fragment wounds.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no direct link between the Veteran's varicose veins and his service-connected injuries, nor was there sufficient evidence linking his erectile dysfunction disorder with his service-connected condition or any other incident in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Varicose veins of the left leg, Varicose veins of the right leg, Erectile dysfunction disorder resulting in penile implant
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2017
- Citation
- 1759361
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 1759361.
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: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period beginning May 1, 2020, as he has a combined disability rating of 100% due to service-connected disabilities and was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities including varicose veins and Major Depressive Disorder, which may render him unemployable.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg are currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the symptoms described. The claim for an extraschedular rating was also denied as the criteria reasonably describe the Veteran's disability level.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg have been granted a disability rating of 40 percent effective November 12, 2019.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.