The Board has determined that the Veteran's varicose veins, which developed during his active duty service, contributed substantially and materially to his death from pulmonary embolus. The Board finds that there is at least equipoise of evidence regarding this issue.
The deciding factor: The March 2018 VA opinion found that the Veteran's in-service appendectomy was a risk factor for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and given the Veteran's death occurred 15 years after the surgery, the probability that the appendectomy contributed to his death is less than 50 percent. However, the examiner noted that varicose veins were also identified as a potential risk factor in the Veteran's case.
- Claimed conditions
- Varicose veins
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2018
- Citation
- 1823121
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 1823121.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension and granted service connection for varicose veins on a secondary basis to hypertension.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's limitations in performing activities of daily living are consistent with being unable to sustain himself in the community, warranting Tier 2 benefits under the PCAFC program.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right ankle disability and denied service connection for varicose veins secondary to her right ankle disability.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during its pendency.
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