Varicose veins are rated under Diagnostic Code 7120 in 38 CFR 4.104, but the regulation directs raters to evaluate the condition using the criteria in Diagnostic Code 7121, post-phlebitic syndrome. That means the actual rating percentages come from how much edema, skin discoloration, and ulceration a veteran has, not from the veins themselves. The available ratings are 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%, and each leg is rated separately if both are affected. In 2026, a 10% rating pays $180.42 per month, 40% pays $795.84, and 100% pays $3,938.58, all for a veteran with no dependents.
This guide covers the exact rating criteria pulled directly from 38 CFR 4.104, the 2026 pay chart, how bilateral involvement changes your combined rating, how to establish service connection, secondary conditions worth filing for, and the steps to submit a claim.
VA Varicose Veins Rating Criteria Under Diagnostic Code 7120/7121
The regulation for Diagnostic Code 7120 (varicose veins) states simply: "Evaluate under diagnostic code 7121." Diagnostic Code 7121 covers post-phlebitic syndrome of any etiology, and it is the schedule the VA actually applies to varicose veins claims. The criteria focus on edema (swelling), stasis pigmentation or eczema (skin discoloration or irritation from poor circulation), and ulceration.
| Rating | Criteria (38 CFR 4.104, DC 7121) |
|---|
| 0% | Asymptomatic palpable or visible varicose veins |
| 10% | Intermittent edema of extremity or aching and fatigue in leg after prolonged standing or walking, with symptoms relieved by elevation of extremity or compression hosiery |
| 20% | Persistent edema, incompletely relieved by elevation of extremity, with or without beginning stasis pigmentation or eczema |
| 40% | Persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema, with or without intermittent ulceration |
| 60% | Persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, stasis pigmentation or eczema, and persistent ulceration |
| 100% | Massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest |
There is no 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, or 90% tier under this diagnostic code. The rating jumps directly from 20% to 40%, and from 60% to 100%, with nothing in between.
Bilateral Involvement: Each Leg Is Rated Separately
The regulation includes a specific note: these evaluations are for involvement of a single extremity. If varicose veins affect both legs, the VA evaluates each leg separately under the same criteria, then combines the two ratings using the Combined Ratings Table in 38 CFR 4.25, applying the bilateral factor in 38 CFR 4.26 if it applies. This means a veteran with moderate varicose veins in both legs, each independently rated at 20%, does not simply get 40%. VA math combines the two ratings, and the bilateral factor adds a small additional percentage on top of that combined figure before rounding to the nearest 10%.
In practice, this means documenting the severity in each leg individually. If your right leg has stasis pigmentation and ulceration but your left leg has only mild swelling, the C&P examiner should record both legs separately so each gets the correct rating.
2026 VA Disability Pay for Varicose Veins Ratings
The 2026 VA compensation rates include a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment that took effect December 1, 2025.
| Rating | Monthly Pay (Veteran Alone) |
|---|
| 0% | $0 (service-connected but no compensation) |
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
At 10% and 20%, the monthly payment is fixed regardless of dependents. Starting at 40%, the VA adds monthly amounts for a spouse, children, or dependent parents. For example, a veteran rated at 40% with a spouse receives approximately $882.84 per month, and a veteran rated at 100% with a spouse receives approximately $4,158.17 per month in 2026.
These figures reflect compensation for varicose veins alone in a single leg. Veterans with bilateral involvement, or with other service-connected conditions, will have a higher combined rating calculated using VA math, which is not simple addition.
Establishing Service Connection for Varicose Veins
To receive compensation for varicose veins, you need to show the condition is connected to military service. There are two primary paths.
Direct service connection requires evidence that varicose veins began during or were caused by active duty service. This is common among veterans whose duties required prolonged standing, heavy lifting, or long periods on their feet, such as infantry, logistics, aviation ground crew, and military police roles. Medical records showing vein symptoms during service, or shortly after separation, support a direct claim.
Secondary service connection applies when varicose veins developed as a result of another already service-connected condition. Common primary conditions that can lead to secondary varicose veins include:
- Obesity resulting from a service-connected orthopedic or mobility condition
- Service-connected knee, hip, or back injuries that reduce mobility and circulation
- Prolonged immobilization from a service-connected injury
- Certain medications prescribed for service-connected conditions that affect circulation
If you already have a rating for a knee, back, or hip condition that limits your activity and you later developed varicose veins, a secondary service connection claim may apply.
Secondary Conditions That Can Increase Your Combined Rating
Because varicose veins are often part of a broader circulatory picture, veterans frequently pursue additional claims for related conditions. These are rated separately under their own diagnostic codes and combined with the varicose veins rating.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - Also evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7121, DVT can develop alongside or independently of varicose veins and may warrant its own claim if it causes distinct symptoms.
Venous stasis dermatitis or ulceration - Chronic skin breakdown from poor venous return is already factored into the DC 7121 criteria at the 40% and 60% levels, but severe or recurrent ulcers may support additional evidence for a higher rating.
Cellulitis and skin infections - Recurrent infections in a leg with poor circulation can be claimed as a related complication.
Chronic pain and reduced mobility - Persistent leg pain and swelling that limits standing or walking can support secondary claims for other joint conditions or contribute to a Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) claim if it affects your ability to work.
Depression or anxiety related to chronic pain - Long-term pain and visible skin changes from advanced varicose veins can contribute to mental health conditions, which are rated separately.
Required Evidence for a Varicose Veins Claim
A strong claim typically includes several types of documentation.
Medical records showing a current diagnosis of varicose veins, along with any noted edema, skin changes, or ulceration documented by a physician or vascular specialist.
Service treatment records or buddy statements connecting the onset of symptoms to your time in service, particularly if your military occupational specialty involved prolonged standing or physically demanding duty.
Nexus letter from a doctor explaining the medical link between your service and your varicose veins diagnosis, especially important for direct and secondary service connection claims.
Photographs and symptom log documenting visible skin changes, swelling patterns, and how symptoms change with elevation or compression hosiery. Since the rating hinges on whether edema is "intermittent" versus "persistent" and whether symptoms are relieved by elevation, this kind of record helps the examiner place you in the correct tier.
DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire) for the veins and thrombotic conditions. Your treating physician can complete this form, which maps directly to the criteria the VA rater applies.
How to File a VA Varicose Veins Disability Claim
Step 1: Gather your evidence
Collect medical records, service records, and lay statements before filing. If both legs are affected, make sure your records describe each leg individually. If you are pursuing secondary service connection, obtain a nexus letter from your doctor.
Step 2: File online at VA.gov
Sign in at VA.gov with your DS Logon, MyHealtheVet, or ID.me account. Navigate to "File a VA disability claim" and complete VA Form 21-526EZ. Upload supporting documents directly through the portal.
Step 3: Attend your C&P exam
The VA will schedule a Compensation and Pension examination. The examiner will assess swelling, skin discoloration, ulceration, and whether symptoms are relieved by elevation or compression hosiery. Describe your worst typical day accurately, and be specific about each leg if both are affected.
Step 4: Review your rating decision
The VA will mail a rating decision. If you disagree, you can submit a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, request a Higher-Level Review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
Step 5: File for secondary conditions
If you have related conditions such as DVT, skin infections, or reduced mobility affecting your ability to work, file those claims at the same time or shortly after to build your combined rating.
Tips to Avoid a Lower Rating
Document whether swelling is intermittent or persistent, and whether it is relieved by elevation or compression hosiery. This distinction is exactly what separates a 10% rating from a 20% or 40% rating.
Note skin changes specifically. Stasis pigmentation and eczema are named criteria at the 20%, 40%, and 60% levels, so if you have visible skin discoloration, make sure it is documented in your medical records and mentioned clearly at your C&P exam.
If both legs are affected, make sure the examiner evaluates and documents each leg separately. A single combined description can lead to an inaccurate or lower overall rating, since the VA is required to rate and then combine each extremity individually.
Keep a photo log over several weeks showing swelling patterns, skin color, and any ulceration. Photos taken before and after standing or walking can help an examiner see the "persistent versus intermittent" distinction firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What diagnostic code does the VA use for varicose veins?
Varicose veins fall under Diagnostic Code 7120 in 38 CFR 4.104, but the regulation directs the VA to evaluate the condition using the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7121, post-phlebitic syndrome. There is no separate rating scale specific to varicose veins alone.
What is the maximum VA disability rating for varicose veins?
The maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 7121 is 100%, reserved for massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest. Most varicose veins claims are rated well below this, typically in the 0% to 40% range depending on symptom severity.
Can I get a rating for both legs if I have varicose veins in each?
Yes. The VA evaluates each leg separately under Diagnostic Code 7121, then combines the two ratings using the Combined Ratings Table in 38 CFR 4.25, applying the bilateral factor in 38 CFR 4.26 if it applies. This is not the same as adding the two percentages together.
Does prolonged standing during service support a varicose veins claim?
It can. If your military occupational specialty required extended periods of standing, marching, or physically demanding work, and you developed varicose veins during or shortly after that service, this history can support a direct service connection claim, especially when paired with medical records from the time.
Can varicose veins be service-connected secondary to another condition?
Yes. If a service-connected knee, hip, back, or mobility condition contributed to reduced activity, weight gain, or prolonged standing that led to varicose veins, you may be able to file for secondary service connection. A nexus letter from your doctor explaining this connection strengthens the claim.
How long does the VA take to decide a varicose veins claim?
Processing times vary by claim complexity and whether a C&P exam is needed. VA has been targeting an average decision time of roughly 125 days, though many straightforward, fully developed claims are completed faster. Submitting complete medical evidence upfront tends to speed up the process.
Can I receive VA compensation for varicose veins and Social Security disability at the same time?
Yes. VA disability compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are separate programs with different eligibility rules, and receiving one does not disqualify you from the other. Veterans can pursue both if their condition meets each program's separate criteria.
