Hip decisions — 2000

The Board denied both attempts to reopen claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, and did not find clear and unmistakable error in the original rating decision.

The veteran is seeking service connection for injuries sustained during her reserve service, including back and hip disabilities. The VA has not yet addressed the claim for right hip disability. Additional examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip condition as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture. The rating for residuals of a fracture of the right ankle with degenerative changes is increased from 10% to 20%. The claim for an increased disability evaluation rating for a right fifth metatarsal fracture remains unresolved.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and kidney disabilities as not well-grounded. The claim of increased rating for degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine is granted with a 40% disability rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right hip disability is being remanded due to the need for a DeLuca compliant examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for right hip disability secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded, and denied them. The right hip disability was determined to be unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a well-grounded claim for service connection for urinary tract infection, disability manifested by scrotal pain, disability manifested by testicular pain, hip disability, ankle disability, right foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, or Crohn's disease. Service connection is granted for laceration scars of the right arm and chin.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, kidney condition, right epicondylitis (claimed as a right forearm condition), and low back disorder. The only conditions granted were right hip arthritis.

The Board has determined that there is no well-grounded claim for service connection of any of the claimed conditions. The veteran's claims were denied as his evidence did not establish a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and have therefore been denied.

The veteran's increased hearing loss rating was granted with an effective date of May 5, 1993. His claims for service connection for left ankle and hip conditions were not supported by the evidence presented. Service connection for his back condition was established.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected left total hip replacement prior to February 20, 1996 was denied. The claim for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is pending. The veteran's original claim for service connection for a left hip disability was granted in September 1996 with an effective date of June 17, 1992.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy L4-L5 with degenerative joint disease and a right hip condition, both secondary to his service-connected right knee condition. The decision found that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left hip disability and right hip disability, finding that new evidence did not reopen the claim for left hip disability and that there was no well-grounded claim for right hip disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left hip disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than currently assigned.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be rescheduled for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, and denied his requests for increased ratings for low back and right hip disabilities. The veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 60 percent.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hip, and left leg disabilities due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of competent medical evidence showing that his left hip disability was caused by VA treatment.