The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The left hip disability is rated at 10 percent, the thoracic spine disability at 10 percent, and the right anterior chest scar and burn residuals of the right ankle are both noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports did not support higher ratings for any of the service-connected conditions based on current symptomatology or diagnostic criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the left hip, Degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, Scar of the right anterior chest wall, Residuals of a second-degree burn of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1708729
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1708729.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective dates for service connection for degenerative changes of the right hip and left hip are also being addressed.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The appeal pertaining to the thoracic spine disability is remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the left hip and migraine headaches due to additional development being necessary.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for degenerative changes of the left hip with limitation of flexion and chronic right hip muscle and tendon strain with limited extension have been denied.,Initial noncompensable ratings were previously assigned, but the Veteran is now seeking higher ratings.
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