Hip decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The Board has conceded the veteran's in-service helicopter accident and is considering whether his current left hip disability, including arthritis, is related to this service event. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected left hip disability. The RO has previously granted a 30 percent disability rating, but the veteran contends that his condition has worsened and he may need to undergo surgery. The case is being remanded due to procedural defects in notification under the VCAA.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, shoulder, and pelvis conditions as secondary to his service-connected low back and bilateral knee disabilities. The evidence did not support a current disability in any of these areas.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(k) for loss of use of his left foot, finding that he did not meet the criteria for such a benefit due to remaining functional capacity in his left leg.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and medical records from the veteran's providers.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including a Statement of the Case with respect to service connection for right hip disability and entitlements related to his right ankle sprain.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability and remanded it for further development. The issue is now pending with the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee, left ankle, and right hip disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right hip disabilities, but granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her scar of the left breast and tendonitis of the left wrist, as well as her claim for service connection for a left hip disability. The gynecological disorder is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right hip disability that was secondary to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip condition, which is diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, is secondary to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbosacral spine. The issue regarding the bilateral knee condition remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for a scar of the left arm with retained splinter, as well as for service connection for bilateral hip and leg disabilities due to inadequate development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip disability, which led to a total hip arthroplasty, is service-connected as it resulted from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature of his hip disability and its relationship to his right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left hip disabilities on a secondary basis to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary embolism and its residuals, as well as hip disability. The decision concluded that the veteran did not have any injuries or diseases incurred in active duty that led to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining the etiology of the veteran's HIV infection and right hip disability.