Hip decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic right leg, right knee, and right hip disabilities in October 1997. The case was remanded multiple times by the Board but the issues were not fully addressed.

The veteran's claims for chronic back pain, right knee trauma, and bilateral hip condition were denied. However, the effective date of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was granted as August 30, 2001, with a rating of 10%.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left hip or shoulder disability recognized by VA as etiologically related to military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of a head trauma, acquired psychiatric disability, bunions, left hip disability, and low back disability. The reasons included lack of credible evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current left hip disability, and the veteran's thyroid disorder with Graves' disease was evaluated as 10 percent disabling based on continuous medication requirements without additional symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, a right hip disability, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and increased evaluations of his knee disabilities. The cervical spine disorder is not considered to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied claims for secondary service connection for a right hip disability, whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for secondary service connection for a right knee disability, and an increased rating for the left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting disabilities, including fractures and contusions sustained in a 1979 accident prior to service, did not worsen during his active duty. Therefore, he was denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal of the issues related to right ear hearing loss, left hip disability, and back disability is denied. The issue of entitlement to an original rating for residuals of a fracture of the right maxillary bone will be remanded.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to the incorrect application of legal standards and the need to consider evidence prior to October 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, right ear disability, bilateral hip and shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities, as well as her claim to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of a left hip disability. The low back disability was also denied. The veteran is currently rated at 20% for both knees combined.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder, left shoulder, left hip, right knee, and left knee conditions, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were based on the merits of the cases.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his left foot disability and service connection for left hip and leg disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or establish secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, left hip disability, and residuals of cerebral concussion. The claim to reopen the cardiovascular disease was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, right hip disability, myositis, degenerative arthritis, and back disability. The left knee condition was granted a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were partially granted, with a 20% rating assigned for the left knee disability from October 17, 1995 onwards. The right hip disability was not addressed due to lack of evidence or withdrawal by the veteran.