C&P Exam for Varicose veins (DC 7120)

Diagnostic code: 7120Condition: Varicose veinsRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.104DBQ: DBQ CARDIO Artery and Vein

Which form the examiner uses

For varicose veins (DC 7120), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQ CARDIO Artery and Vein (public PDF on VA.gov)

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What the examiner records

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

This DBQ evaluates artery and vein conditions including varicose veins, peripheral arterial disease, aneurysms, Raynaud's, and arteriovenous fistulae for VA disability rating purposes.

How DC 7120 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-III and XII-XV of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections IV-XI cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.

DIAGNOSIS (Section I)

1A. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this questionnaire
1B. Does the Veteran now have or has he or she ever had a vascular disease (arterial or venous)?
Varicose veins ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Post-phlebitic syndrome (of any etiology) ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Aneurysm, any large artery ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Aortic aneurysm: ascending, thoracic or abdominal ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Aneurysm of a small artery ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Raynaud's disease (also known as primary Raynaud's) ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Raynaud's syndrome (also known as secondary Raynaud's phenomenon or secondary Raynaud's) ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Erythromelalgia ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Angioneurotic edema ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Thrombo-angitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Arteriovenous (AV) fistula, traumatic ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Soft tissue sarcoma of vascular origin ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Peripheral arterial disease ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
Syphilitic aortic aneurysm ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
1C. If there are additional diagnoses that pertain to vascular diseases, list using above format

MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)

2A. Describe the history, including onset and course, of the Veteran's vascular condition(s). Brief summary

VARICOSE VEINS AND/OR POST-PHLEBITIC SYNDROME (Section III)

3A. Does the Veteran have or has ever had varicose veins?
If yes, indicate extremity: Upper Right / Left / Both; Lower Right / Left / Both
3B. Does the Veteran have or has ever had post-phlebitic syndrome of any etiology?
If yes, indicate extremity: Upper Right / Left / Both; Lower Right / Left / Both
3C. Asymptomatic palpable varicose veins (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3C. Asymptomatic visible varicose veins (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3C. Aching in leg after prolonged standing (Right/Left/Both)
3C. Fatigue in leg after prolonged standing (Right/Left/Both)
3C. Aching in leg after prolonged walking (Right/Left/Both)
3C. Fatigue in leg after prolonged walking (Right/Left/Both)
3C. Symptoms relieved by elevation of extremity (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3C. Symptoms relieved by compression hosiery (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3C. Constant pain at rest (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Beginning stasis pigmentation (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Persistent stasis pigmentation (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Beginning eczema (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Eczema (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Persistent edema (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Intermittent edema of extremity (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Persistent edema that is incompletely relieved by elevation of extremity (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Massive board-like edema (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Intermittent ulceration (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Persistent ulceration (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)
3D. Persistent subcutaneous induration (Upper/Lower, Right/Left/Both)

PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE AND THROMBO-ANGIITIS OBLITERANS (BUERGER'S DISEASE) (Section IV)

4A. Has the Veteran ever been diagnosed with any of the following? Peripheral arterial disease / Thrombo-angiitis obliterans (Buerger's Disease) / Other
4B. Has the Veteran undergone surgery for any of the listed conditions?
If yes list type of surgery / Date of surgery
4C. Has the Veteran undergone any procedure other than surgery for revascularization?
If yes list type of procedure / Date of procedure
4D. Diminished upper extremity pulses (Right/Left/Both)
4D. Trophic changes (Right/Left/Both)
4D. Numbness and paresthesia at the tips of the fingers (Right/Left/Both)
4D. Pains in the hand during physical activity (Right/Left/Both)
4D. Deep ischemic ulcers (Right/Left/Both)
4D. Necrosis of the fingers (Right/Left/Both)
4D. Persistent coldness of the extremity (Right/Left/Both)

ANEURYSM, ANY LARGE ARTERY (Section V)

5A. Has the Veteran ever been diagnosed with an aneurysm of any large artery other than aorta?
If yes, is it symptomatic?
If a large aneurysm has been diagnosed, has the Veteran had a surgical procedure for the aneurysm?
If yes, indicate type of surgery / Date of surgery
If no surgery has been done, is an aneurysm present that does not meet the requirements for surgical correction?

AORTIC ANEURYSM: ASCENDING, THORACIC, OR ABDOMINAL (Section VI)

6A. Has the Veteran ever been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm: ascending, thoracic, or abdominal?
If yes, is it symptomatic?
Has the Veteran had a surgical procedure for an aortic aneurysm: ascending, thoracic, or abdominal?
If yes, indicate type of surgery / Date of surgery
If no, is an aneurysm present that does not meet the requirements for surgical correction?
6B. Does the Veteran currently have an aortic aneurysm, ascending, thoracic, or abdominal?
Five centimeters or larger in diameter
Symptomatic (e.g., precludes exertion)
6C. Does the Veteran have any post-surgical residuals due to treatment for aortic aneurysm, ascending, thoracic, or abdominal?

ANEURYSM OF A SMALL ARTERY (Section VII)

7A. Has the Veteran been diagnosed with an aneurysm of a small artery?
Is it symptomatic?
If yes, describe symptoms
If yes, has the Veteran had a surgical procedure for an aneurysm of a small artery?
If yes, indicate type of surgery / Date of surgery
Does the Veteran currently have an aneurysm of a small artery?
7B. Does the Veteran have any post-surgical residuals due to treatment for an aneurysm of a small artery?

RAYNAUD'S DISEASE OR SYNDROME (Section VIII)

8A. Does the Veteran have Raynaud's disease (also known as primary Raynaud's)?
8B. Does the Veteran have Raynaud's syndrome (also known as secondary Raynaud's phenomenon or secondary Raynaud's)?
8C. Is there a history of characteristic attacks?
If yes, indicate frequency of characteristic attacks: Less than once a week / 1 to 3 times a week / 4 to 6 times a week / At least daily
With trophic changes / Without trophic changes
8D. Does the Veteran have two or more digital ulcers?
With trophic changes / Without trophic changes
8E. Does the Veteran have auto-amputation of one or more digits?

ARTERIOVENOUS (AV) FISTULA, ANGIONEUROTIC EDEMA OR ERYTHROMELALGIA (Section IX)

9A. Does the Veteran have or has ever had a traumatic AV fistula?
If yes, indicate site of traumatic AV fistula: Right upper extremity / Left upper extremity / Right lower extremity / Left lower extremity / Other location
9B. Chronic edema (Right upper / Left upper / Right lower / Left lower extremity)
9B. Stasis dermatitis (Right upper / Left upper / Right lower / Left lower extremity)
9B. Ulceration (Right upper / Left upper / Right lower / Left lower extremity)
9B. Cellulitis (Right upper / Left upper / Right lower / Left lower extremity)
9C. Cardiovascular symptoms: No cardiac involvement / Enlarged heart / Wide pulse pressure / Tachycardia / High-output heart failure
9D. Is there more than one traumatic AV fistula?
9E. Does the Veteran have chronic angioneurotic edema?
With laryngeal involvement (of any duration) / Without laryngeal involvement
Duration: Occurs 1 or 2 times a year / Occurs more than 2 times a year
Duration: Lasts 1 to 7 days / Lasts longer than 7 days
Frequency: Occurs less than 2 times a year / Occurs 2 to 4 times a year / Occurs 5 to 8 times a year / Occurs more than 8 times a year
9F. Does the Veteran have or has ever had an erythromelalgia?
Does not restrict most routine daily activities / Restricts most routine daily activities
Occurs less than 3 times a week / Occurs at least 3 times a week / Occurs daily / Occurs more than once a day
Lasts an average of more than 2 hours each
Responds to treatment / Responds poorly to treatment

TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section X)

10A. Does the Veteran currently have, or has had, a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases related to any condition in the diagnosis section?
10B. The neoplasm is: Benign / Malignant
Active / In remission
Primary / Secondary (metastatic) (if secondary, indicate the primary site, if known)
10C. Has the Veteran completed treatment or is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases?
Treatment completed / Surgery (describe; Date(s) of surgery)
Radiation therapy (Date of most recent treatment / Date of completion or anticipated date of completion)
Antineoplastic chemotherapy (Date of most recent treatment / Date of completion or anticipated date of completion)
Other therapeutic procedure (describe procedure; Date of most recent procedure)
Other therapeutic treatment (describe treatment; Date of completion or anticipated date of completion)
10D. Does the Veteran currently have any residuals or complications due to the neoplasm (including metastases) or its treatment, other than those already documented in the report above?

AMPUTATION AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES (Section XI)

11A. Has the Veteran had an amputation of an extremity due to a vascular condition?
11B. Does the Veteran use any assistive devices as a normal mode of locomotion?
Wheelchair – Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
Brace(s) – Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
Crutch(es) – Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
Cane(s) – Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
Walker – Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
Other, specify – Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
11C. If the Veteran uses any assistive devices, specify the condition, indicate the side, and identify the device used for each condition
11D. Due to a vascular condition, is there functional impairment of an extremity such that no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation with prosthesis?
If yes, indicate extremity(ies): Right upper / Right lower / Left upper / Left lower
11E. For each checked extremity, describe loss of affected function, identify the condition causing loss of function and provide specific examples. Brief summary

OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section XII)

12A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs or symptoms related to the conditions listed in the diagnosis section above?
12B. Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement of the skin related to any conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the diagnosis section?
12C. Comments, if any

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section XIII)

13A. Has ankle/brachial index (ABI) testing been performed?
If unable to perform provide reason
Right ankle/brachial index / Date
Left ankle/brachial index / Date
13B. If only ABI testing is available, does ABI sufficiently reflect the severity of the Veteran's peripheral arterial disease?
Right ankle pressure (AP) / Date
Left ankle pressure (AP) / Date
Right toe pressure (AP) / Date
Left toe pressure (TP) / Date
Right foot transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2) / Date
Left foot transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2) / Date
13D. Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings that were reviewed in conjunction with this examination that are related to the claimed condition(s) and/or diagnosis(es)?

FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section XIV)

14A. Regardless of the Veteran's current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)?
If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples

REMARKS (Section XV)

15A. Remarks (if any – please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate)

Rating Levels for DC 7120

The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 7120

The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.

Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 3 granted decisions (0 denied, 0 remanded; 3 total)
Private medical opinion: appeared in 2 granted decisions (2 denied, 1 remanded; 5 total)
Nexus letter: appeared in 2 granted decisions (2 denied, 1 remanded; 5 total)
Medical literature: appeared in 2 granted decisions (0 denied, 0 remanded; 2 total)
VA examination: appeared in 0 granted decisions (6 denied, 7 remanded; 13 total)
Service treatment records: appeared in 0 granted decisions (0 denied, 3 remanded; 3 total)

What the Board discussed in granted decisions for DC 7120

The themes below were extracted by clustering 500 grant-factor sentences from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Frequencies indicate how often each theme appeared in the sample. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not advice or strategy for any specific claim.

32% Benefit of the doubt standard cited or applied generally
The Board cited the statutory or case-law benefit-of-the-doubt standard, noting that when evidence is in approximate balance the claimant prevails, without tying the statement to a specific varicose-vein fact.
162 of 500 sample sentences
22% Examiner nexus opinion noted as at least as likely as not
A VA or private examiner's opinion was recorded stating that a condition was at least as likely as not incurred in, caused by, or related to service or a service-connected disability.
112 of 500 sample sentences
12% Evidence found in equipoise on varicose vein rating or service connection
The Board found the lay and medical evidence approximately balanced specifically regarding a varicose-vein disability rating level or service-connection determination, triggering the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.
60 of 500 sample sentences
12% Preponderance against claim; benefit of doubt inapplicable
The Board recorded that the weight of the evidence persuasively disfavored the claim, making the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine inapplicable and the claim denied.
60 of 500 sample sentences
8% Higher rating warranted after benefit of doubt applied to varicose vein symptoms
After resolving the benefit of the doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board found that varicose-vein symptoms — such as persistent edema, stasis pigmentation, or ulceration — more nearly approximated criteria for a higher percentage rating.
38 of 500 sample sentences
4% Service connection for varicose veins granted via benefit of doubt
The Board recorded that benefit of the doubt was extended to the Veteran and service connection for varicose veins of a lower extremity was therefore warranted.
22 of 500 sample sentences
4% Examiner remand question framed as at least as likely as not for varicose veins
A remand instruction recorded that an examiner was directed to opine whether varicose veins or related conditions were at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by service or a service-connected disability.
22 of 500 sample sentences
3% Secondary service connection for varicose vein sequelae documented
An examiner or the Board recorded that conditions such as depression, edema, DVT, or neuropathy were at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins.
14 of 500 sample sentences
2% Varicose vein onset or aggravation in service noted in medical opinion
A medical examiner or treating clinician's opinion was recorded stating that varicose veins first appeared in, or were aggravated during, the Veteran's period of active military service.
8 of 500 sample sentences
0% Benefit of doubt resolved on specific symptom finding (edema, ulceration, pigmentation)
The Board recorded that, giving the Veteran the benefit of the doubt on a disputed clinical finding such as persistent edema or recurrent ulceration, that symptom was deemed present for rating purposes under Diagnostic Code 7120.
2 of 500 sample sentences

Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.