The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left hip arthroplasty is granted, and the claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) from March 2, 2016 is denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s residuals of a left hip replacement warranted a 50% evaluation from March 1, 2016 and denied his claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) as he was not unemployable due to a single service-connected disability during the period beginning March 2, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- left hip arthroplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20013609
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 20013609.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for left hip arthroplasty, right hip arthroplasty, low back degenerative changes, neck C5-C6 fusion with ankylosis, and a right knee condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ear hearing loss and hypertension. The reasons for remand include obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,Several initial rating claims have also been remanded, including those for shoulder, hip, knee, and spine disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hip conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for an adequate VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left hip condition, as the previous examination was inadequate.
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