The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection and ratings for varicose veins, shin splints of the right lower extremity, and shin splints of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's representative was not provided a copy of the September 2019 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).
The deciding factor: The case is being remanded to ensure procedural due process by providing the Veteran’s current representative with a copy of the SSOC.
- Claimed conditions
- varicose veins, chronic exertional compartment syndrome (shin splints) of the right lower extremity, shin splints of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20000192
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,757 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20000192.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, shin splints of the right and left lower extremities, multiple sclerosis (MS), thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left elbow disorder, left knee disorder, migraine headaches, and right knee disorder are dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues of service connection for chronic venous insufficiency and an increased rating for varicose veins. The AOJ must adjudicate both claims, request an addendum opinion from a VA examiner, and readjudicate the issue in light of all evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and insufficient examination, as well as new evidence from the PACT Act. The Veteran's current DVT may be related to a motor vehicle accident during service, and there is no direct evidence of its cause. A VA examination will be conducted to address these issues.
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.