The Board denied service connection for an antalgic gait and denied increased evaluations for the Veteran's hip and thigh disabilities, finding that the current ratings adequately compensate him.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a stand-alone disability characterized by an antalgic gait or higher ratings for the Veteran's hip and thigh disabilities as his symptoms are already compensated at their maximum levels under the rating schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- Antalgic gait, Left hip limitation of extension, Right hip limitation of extension, Left hip limitation of flexion, Right hip limitation of flexion, Left thigh impairment, Right thigh impairment
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2024
- Citation
- 24004268
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of the 10 percent disability rating for right and left thigh impairments under DC 5253, effective May 16, 2023. The reduction in these ratings was not supported by evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a temporary total rating based on convalescence and entitlement to specially adapted housing, as he was not service-connected for a lumbar spine disability at the time of his spinal laminectomy in December 2019, and there is no evidence of loss or loss of use of any extremities that would preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher initial disability ratings of 70%, 40%, and 20% for PTSD, back disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy respectively. The claims for higher ratings for right hip limitations and eye photophobia were denied.
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