The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's varicose veins of the right leg are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition with residuals of bunionectomy and surgical realignment of the bones of the left foot is not service-connected.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support that the manifestations of the Veteran’s thyroid disability include fatigability, constipation, and mental sluggishness.,There was no persistent edema or stasis pigmentation/eczema documented in the medical records for the Veteran's varicose veins.,The examiner opined that the Veteran's surgery was related to a genetic condition of the left foot and not as least as likely as not related to active service.,The examiner did not mention any scoliosis of the lumbar spine, but reported mild to moderate levoscoliosis. The Board requested an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s levoscoliosis is related to her service-connected lumbar spine DDD.
- Claimed conditions
- hypothyroidism, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, bilateral foot condition with residuals of bunionectomy and surgical realignment of the bones of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19169122
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 19169122.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for hypothyroidism is denied, and the Board finds that service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and bilateral foot condition should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypothyroidism and therefore denied their claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis with complications, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, vitamin deficiencies, memory/cognitive impairment, unexplained arthralgias, fatigue, hair loss, and bradycardia.
- Whole decision: Granted
The appellant is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, effective September 1, 2020.
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