Diagnostic Code 7120: Varicose Veins Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.104
- Rating range
- 0% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 6
- Body system
- Cardiovascular system
The VA rates Varicose Veins under diagnostic code 7120 in 38 CFR § 4.104. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 7120 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Asymptomatic palpable or visible varicose veins What raters look forasymptomatic 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 What raters look forintermittent edema; aching and fatigue after prolonged standing or walking; relieved by elevation or compression hosiery |
| 20% | Persistent edema, incompletely relieved by elevation of extremity, with or without beginning stasis pigmentation or eczema What raters look forpersistent edema incompletely relieved by elevation |
| 40% | Persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema, with or without intermittent ulceration What raters look forpersistent edema; stasis pigmentation or eczema |
| 60% | Persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, stasis pigmentation or eczema, and persistent ulceration What raters look forpersistent ulceration; stasis pigmentation or eczema |
| 100% | Massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest What raters look formassive board-like edema; constant pain at rest |
DC 7120 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 317 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 7120 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 26.8%, denied 64.4% and sent 8.8% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 7120 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Varicose Veins. The Varicose Veins condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Varicose Veins appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 2,070 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Varicose Veins, 2021 to 2026. The Varicose Veins condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Varicose Veins appeals generally rather than DC 7120 specifically. The DC 7120 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 7120?
Diagnostic code 7120 is the VA rating schedule entry for Varicose Veins, found in 38 CFR § 4.104. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 7120?
DC 7120 provides ratings of 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 7120 require?
The 100% rating for Varicose Veins requires: Massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 7120?
In 310 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 7120 from 2021 to 2026, 25.2% were granted, 65.8% denied and 9.0% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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