The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips, finding that his disability did not manifest within one year of active service and was not causally related to military service.
The deciding factor: Service records were unavailable due to a fire at the Records Management Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Veteran's claims were based on lay statements and VA examinations which found no evidence linking his current condition to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1602921
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1602921.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and knees due to herbicide exposure, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service injury.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and lumbar spine is related to his service, including parachute jumps during active duty.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and left knee disorder, finding that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's left knee disorder is also found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered remand to obtain additional medical records and clarify the Veteran's dates of service. The case will be reviewed after these actions are completed.
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