Hip decisions — 2000

The veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right hip disability resulting from VA care rendered following a fall in April 2000. The RO denied the claim, finding it not well-grounded due to lack of evidence showing fault on the part of VA. The Board finds that additional development is needed as per the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's right hip disability and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes are not service-connected, and his total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral leg and right hip disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain disability warranted a 40 percent rating, but denied service connection for his right hip disability. The RO has not yet considered whether additional notification or development is required under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip and low back disabilities are not secondary to his service-connected left knee or femur fractures, and thus denied these claims. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left femur fracture is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip conditions, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected foot disability. The appeal is based on the veteran's complaints of pain in her knees and hips that she attributes to her service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fallen arches, skin disorder, and right hip, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities. The decision also denied his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim for a skin disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for sinusitis, right hip disability, fibrocystic breast disease, and uterine fibroid were denied as there is no evidence of compensable impairment under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hip conditions, finding that it was not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's December 1992 hospitalization for right hip replacement surgery required at least one month of convalescence, meeting the criteria for a temporary total convalescence evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hip and leg disabilities were denied. The claim for a back condition was also denied. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased evaluation for his right ankle disability. The claim for service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to service-connected right ankle disability was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected PTSD and denied his entitlement to service connection for right hip and foot disabilities. The initial 50 percent evaluation assigned for PTSD prior to January 8, 1998, was maintained.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and found that the veteran's ITP warranted a noncompensable rating from March 25, 1994 to October 22, 1995, and a 30 percent rating effective October 23, 1995.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability was denied by the RO in May 1995 due to lack of evidence supporting her claim. The Board has now remanded the case for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of back, ankle, hip, knee, and psychiatric disabilities. The rating for varicose veins remains at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of right hip disability due to new evidence submitted, and finds that it was incurred in active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a left hip disability, finding no new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and a right hip disability are not well grounded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability was withdrawn by the appellant prior to the promulgation of a decision.