The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left hip disability is denied. The Board also denied the claim for service connection for early menopause, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her gynecological condition and active duty service or exposure to herbicides, fuel, and gas fumes.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not provide sufficient objective evidence of left hip disability severity during flare-ups or repetitive use over time, leading to the denial of an increased rating. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's gynecological condition to her service.
- Claimed conditions
- left hip degenerative arthritis, early menopause
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20049285
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 20049285.
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: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis is secondary to his service-connected right total hip replacement and grants this claim.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied due to the late filing of the appeal requests, and thus the appeals are dismissed.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis and bilateral restless leg syndrome have been dismissed due to the concurrent submission of a Higher-Level Review request, which is not allowed while a Direct Review appeal is pending.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis, a low back condition, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.
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