thank you in advance. I have had chronic varicose veins in my burnt right leg for most of my 76 years. what medical tests can readily determine if my leg swelling is from edema? Clinical professor of Surgery (U.C. San Diego Medical Schoo)John J. Bergan M.D. in his book, Atlas of Venous Surgery contends "elevation of the leg typically relieves, any venous disorder whether or not edema is present." A U.S. government physician refuses to increase my 10 percent disability compensation to 20 percent unless I have persistent edema. he believes that relief in my leg when I elevate it indicates I have temporary edema. sorry to involve you in my quandary. ,