The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a hip disability as secondary to his service-connected malunion of the right tibia and fibula with degenerative joint disease, and an increased rating for that condition. The veteran was granted a 20% evaluation for the malunion of the right tibia and fibula with degenerative joint disease but not greater than 10% for shortening of the right lower extremity.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence to support service connection for a hip disability as secondary to his service-connected condition, and denied both claims.
- Claimed conditions
- hip disability, malunion of right tibia and fibula with degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 14, 2004
- Citation
- 0428253
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0428253.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, hip, and lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses and lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine if any of his claimed disabilities are related to service. The issues include neck, low back, hip, knee, ankle, foot, joint pain, sleep condition, lung, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric disorders.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected knee and hip disabilities, finding that he requires regular aid and assistance from another person since January 25, 2022.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for neck, shoulder, low back, hip, headache, and tinnitus disabilities as there was insufficient evidence of a present disability or functional impairment related to the claimed conditions during or proximate to the pendency of the claim.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.