Hip decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to issues related to service connection for right leg and hip disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a low back, bilateral ankle, hip, or knee disability related to his service or a service-connected condition. The varicose veins of the right leg are rated at 20% prior to October 17, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip disability and low back disability are related to service, with the current conditions being a result of injuries sustained during active duty. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, nicotine dependency, and sinus headaches. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for skin disability, bilateral hip disability, and PTSD. However, it is unclear whether these claims are decided on a merits basis or if they are still pending based on new evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for back disability and granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety neurosis are denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's left hip disability and the severity of his residuals of a left radius fracture with traumatic arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's right hip disability and bilateral knee disability are related to his service-connected left hip disability. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability and found new and material evidence to support this claim. The issues of service connection for left hip and left leg disabilities are also addressed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right hip disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his service-connected avulsion fracture, left distal fibula with avulsion of the lateral talofibular ligament and service connection for a low back disability and right hip disability were denied. The RO continued a noncompensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected avulsion fracture, left distal fibula with avulsion of the lateral talofibular ligament.

The Board finds that there is a further VA duty to assist the veteran in developing evidence pertinent to his applications to reopen claims for service connection, particularly regarding his left knee, left hip, and low back disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran timely filed a substantive appeal regarding his claims for service connection for right hip disability and right shoulder disability, which were denied in October 1986. The issues of reopening claims for back disability and malaria are also addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and left hip disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to discrepancies in medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's right hip and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability, left hip stress fracture, and psychiatric disorder are all service-connected. The left knee disability is not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability to include degenerative joint disease and a respiratory disability, finding no evidence of such conditions during her military service or within one year post-service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development and assistance.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hip disabilities and there is no evidence of such in service. Therefore, service connection for right and left hip disabilities cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip disability is at least as likely as not caused or worsened by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants the claim for secondary service connection.