The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip was granted with an effective date of September 30, 2013. The Board found that a formal diagnosis of arthritis did not occur until this date and thus determined that July 1, 2010, when she filed her initial claim, should be considered the effective date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hip pain caused functional impairment prior to September 30, 2013, which is the earliest documented diagnosis of osteoarthritis. The Board found that this constituted a service-connected condition under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis of the left hip
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21023717
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21023717.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the November 2024 VA examination, where the examiner did not consider the effects of medication on his left hip disability. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining an opinion regarding the severity of the condition without considering the ameliorative effects of medications.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and notification issues. The AOJ must obtain addendum medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's back, hip, and leg disabilities are directly related to his active service or secondary to a previously service-connected condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of both hips and obstructive sleep apnea due to a need for further evidentiary development.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for jock itch (tinea cruris) has been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for left-sided and right-sided hernias, pseudo folliculitis of the face, pseudo folliculitis of the neck, lumbar spine disability, sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the lower extremities, left foot bunion, right foot bunion, toenail fungus and tinea pedis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, osteoarthritis of the hips, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability has also been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's service treatment records are silent regarding any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. Post-service medical records do not provide evidence of current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.