The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities have been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7120.
The deciding factor: The VA compensation examinations did not show persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, which are required to warrant a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7120.
- Claimed conditions
- Varicose veins of the right lower extremity, Varicose veins of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20007739
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The veteran's lumbosacral strain/degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted service connection, while claims for Raynaud's syndrome and varicose veins were denied. The issues related to atrophy of the right lower extremity, Raynaud's syndrome/neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and postoperative residuals of bilateral inguinal hernia repair are being remanded.
- Denied
The VA determined that the veteran's varicose veins of the right lower extremity do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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