YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Varicose Veins VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Varicose Veins under diagnostic code 7120, in 38 CFR § 4.104 (cardiovascular system), and the schedule provides six evaluation levels for it: 100%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 10% and 0%.
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A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Varicose Veins
Swollen, twisted veins visible under the skin, usually in the legs, causing aching, swelling, and fatigue.
The rating scales with severity - from intermittent swelling and aching at the lowest tier, through persistent edema with skin discoloration, up to massive, constant swelling and pain at the highest tier - confirmed through Doppler ultrasound and a documented history of symptoms.
- Diagnostic code
- 7120
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.104
- Schedule levels
- 100%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 10% and 0%
How does the VA choose a rating level?
Which level applies is set by the criteria the evidence meets, not by the diagnosis. Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations applies, 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher one if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Varicose Veins VA rating criteria (DC 7120)
Choose a percentage to see what that level means. Open the full comparison to read all the criteria in one place.
These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.
IN THE REGULATION’S OWN WORDS
What 38 CFR also says about Varicose Veins
The notes 38 CFR Part 4 prints with these criteria, quoted. They govern how the evaluation is made without being a rating level themselves.
- “Note: These evaluations are for involvement of a single extremity. If more than one extremity is involved, evaluate each extremity separately and combine (under § 4.25), using the bilateral factor (§ 4.26), if applicable.”DC 7121
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Varicose Veins claim
A long list feels easier when you have a place to start. Use this checklist to see what you have and what still needs gathering.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
THE EXAM FORM
Which DBQ is used for Varicose Veins?
VA's page says: “You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers.”
Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.
Preparing your Varicose Veins claim
Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.
Practical tips for your claim2 tips
- 01
Include photos and vascular test results together, since visual evidence of the veins combined with objective Doppler findings supports the diagnosis and severity.
- 02
Track daily symptoms and how often you need to rest or elevate your legs, since this pattern is directly relevant to the rating criteria.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
Claiming the condition without visual signs documented in the exam.
- 02
Missing diagnostic confirmation through vascular imaging.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
Not distinguishing the condition from general leg pain in your statement, since varicose veins have their own specific rating criteria.
- 02
Lack of documentation during actual flare-ups, since symptoms can vary day to day.
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
Varicose veins typically develop gradually from prolonged standing or occupations that limit circulation, worsening over time without intervention.
YOUR SERVICE STORY
Military jobs associated with Varicose Veins
More by branch: Air Force
THE BROADER PICTURE
Varicose Veins by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- Moderate with visual signs and imaging.
- Service-connected disabilities (VBA count)
- 72,271 disabilities
- Typical rating awarded
- ~40%
Count of service-connected disabilities from the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), as of September 30, 2025; the report counts disabilities, not veterans. Approval outlook and typical rating are Vetrify editorial estimates, not official VA statistics.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Varicose Veins
Is Varicose Veins a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Varicose Veins under VASRD diagnostic code 7120 (Cardiovascular System). Swollen, twisted veins visible under the skin, usually in the legs, causing aching, swelling, and fatigue.
What VA disability rating can I get for Varicose Veins?
Possible VA ratings for Varicose Veins are 100%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 100%: With the following findings attributed to venous disease: Massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest; 60%: With the following findings attributed to venous disease: Persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, stasis pigmentation or eczema, and persistent ulceration; 40%: With the following findings attributed to venous disease: Persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema, with or without intermittent ulceration.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Varicose Veins?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Varicose Veins at around 40%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. Per the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), veterans receiving VA compensation as of September 30, 2025 had 72,271 service-connected disabilities rated as Varicose Veins. The report counts disabilities, not veterans. Estimated approval outlook: Moderate with visual signs and imaging.
What evidence helps prove Varicose Veins for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Varicose Veins claim includes: Vascular studies (Doppler ultrasound) confirming venous insufficiency; Photos or documentation of flare-ups, swelling, or skin changes; Compression therapy records showing ongoing management.
Which DBQ is used for Varicose Veins?
VA's Artery and Vein Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is on its public list of DBQs. VA's page says: "You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers."
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Varicose Veins?
Common pitfalls when filing for Varicose Veins: Not distinguishing the condition from general leg pain in your statement, since varicose veins have their own specific rating criteria; Lack of documentation during actual flare-ups, since symptoms can vary day to day.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.104, Schedule of ratings, cardiovascular system (Diagnostic Code 7120)
- 38 CFR § 4.7, higher of two evaluations
- VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), service-connected disabilities count, as of September 30, 2025
Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
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