Varicose Veins — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Varicose Veins
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960A-2 (Artery and Vein Conditions (Vascular Diseases Including Varicose Veins)) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Varicose Veins — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Varicose Veins, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Varicose Veins
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.104, DC 7120 (varicose veins), evaluated under DC 7121 (post-phlebitic syndrome). Ratings are per single extremity.. Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Asymptomatic palpable or visible varicose veins.
Intermittent edema of the extremity, or aching and fatigue in the leg after prolonged standing or walking, with symptoms relieved by elevation of the extremity or compression hosiery.
Persistent edema, incompletely relieved by elevation of the extremity, with or without beginning stasis pigmentation or eczema.
Persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema, with or without intermittent ulceration.
Persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, stasis pigmentation or eczema, and persistent ulceration.
Massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Varicose Veins raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Varicose Veins claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
- Association of Varicose Veins With Incident Venous Thromboembolism and Peripheral Artery DiseaseSecondary
JAMA, 2018 · nexus to deep vein thrombosis (DVT); pulmonary embolism; peripheral artery disease · PMID 29486040
Finding: In a propensity-matched Taiwanese cohort of 212,984 adults with varicose veins vs 212,984 without, the varicose veins group had a markedly higher incidence of DVT (6.55 vs 1.23 per 1000 person-years; HR 5.30, 95% CI 5.05-5.56), and modestly higher pulmonary embolism (HR 1.73) and peripheral artery disease (HR 1.72).
Why it helps: Supports an association between an existing varicose veins diagnosis and later development of DVT (and, less clearly, PE and PAD), which is useful when claiming these vascular conditions as secondary to service-connected varicose veins.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2022 · nexus to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) · PMID 35498031
Finding: Using genetic instruments, varicose veins showed a potential causal effect on DVT (IVW OR 1.173, 95% CI 1.070-1.286, p<0.001) that persisted after adjusting for BMI and height; no causal effect was found for pulmonary embolism or overall VTE.
Why it helps: Adds genetic-causal evidence (beyond observational correlation) that varicose veins may directly raise DVT risk, supporting a secondary-service-connection theory for DVT as a complication of varicose veins.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2023 · nexus to stasis dermatitis; venous leg ulcers · PMID 36800152
Finding: Stasis dermatitis is described as the cutaneous manifestation of venous hypertension caused by venous reflux through incompetent valves; the associated valve impairment can cause leg swelling and progress to serious venous ulcerations.
Why it helps: Supports an association linking varicose veins / chronic venous insufficiency to downstream skin conditions (stasis dermatitis and venous ulcers), useful when claiming these as secondary to service-connected varicose veins.
Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2024 · nexus to obesity · PMID 38729190
Finding: In a Mendelian randomization analysis, genetically higher body mass index, basal metabolic rate, hip circumference, and waist circumference each increased the risk of varicose veins, venous thromboembolism, and phlebitis, identifying obesity-related traits as causal mediators.
Why it helps: Supports an association in which obesity raises varicose veins risk, relevant where weight gain is tied to service-connected conditions (e.g., mobility-limiting musculoskeletal injury or medication effects) under a secondary-connection theory.
Annali di Igiene, 2012 · PMID 22755500
Finding: A systematic literature review (1964-2011) found an important relationship between prolonged standing at work and lower-limb venous disease, with the orthostatic position producing venostasis, elevated venous pressure, and endothelial damage; sitting, lifting, and heat exposure were lesser contributors.
Why it helps: Supports an association between occupational prolonged standing and varicose/venous disease, relevant for service members whose duties required extended standing during military service.
Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Trabalho, 2019 · PMID 32685759
Finding: This occupational-medicine literature review (2004-2018) describes varicose veins as most commonly affecting the lower limbs in association with static standing posture and continuous muscle contraction, especially among individuals who stand for long periods, with additional risk from obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Why it helps: Reinforces an association between work that requires prolonged standing and varicose veins, supporting a direct service-connection argument tied to standing-intensive military duties.
American Family Physician, 2019 · PMID 31150188
Finding: This clinical review lists recognized risk factors for varicose veins including prolonged standing, obesity, pregnancy, older age, female sex, and family history, and notes potential complications such as leg ulcers, stasis changes, infection, and thrombosis.
Why it helps: Provides an authoritative clinical reference establishing prolonged standing as an accepted varicose veins risk factor and cataloging complications, useful for grounding both direct (standing) and secondary (ulcer, thrombosis) claim theories.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Varicose Veins
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Varicose Veins. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
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Varicose Veins as a Secondary Condition
Varicose Veins is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Varicose Veinsclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Varicose Veins should also be looking at:
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Draft your Varicose Veins personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Varicose Veins.
Varicose Veins Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
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Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.