The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left hip and lumbar spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating for either condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s current disability ratings do not meet the criteria for any higher schedular ratings as there is no ankylosis or other factors that would justify such a rating increase.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis of the left hip, Traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18105545
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 18105545.
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 Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied, and their lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating. The appeal to reopen the depressive disorder claim is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and readjudication due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as consideration of extraschedular TDIU.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board found that the Veteran's left hip arthritis began during service and is not a preexisting condition, thus granting her claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with other issues.
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