Hip decisions — 2005

The veteran's claimed conditions, including hemorrhoids with colon polyps and diarrhea, pulmonary disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, depression, fatigue, insomnia, sacroiliac joint disability, lumbar spine disability, hip disability, and muscle twitching, are not service connected due to lack of evidence supporting a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's low back and right hip disabilities were not incurred in or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right hip disability, characterized as meralgia paresthetica (nerve entrapment), does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for low back strain and a right hip condition, as well as his claim for an increased rating for status post boxer's fracture of the right fifth metacarpal, have been denied. The appeal regarding PTSD was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, a low back disability, and a left hip disability. The veteran's claim is granted as new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability or left hip disability for which service connection may be granted, and thus denied both claims. The veteran's symptoms are associated with his service-connected low back disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing. The specific issues of service connection are not addressed as the appeal is in process.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a stomach ulcer and upper back condition, are denied as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The left ankle condition is granted as secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his current conditions and his active service.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities, and remands the case for further development.

The veteran's bilateral hip disability is not service connected. The left knee and back disabilities are service-connected, but the hip disability is not considered secondary to these conditions. The veteran has been granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his cervical strain, low back strain, migraine headaches, right hip disability, left hip disability, and left shoulder disability were all denied by the RO. The RO found that none of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral sacroiliac and right hip disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after his military service. The current disabilities are not shown to be proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for left hip, cervical spine, and low back disabilities were not supported by evidence sufficient to establish a nexus with his military service. The right hip disability claim was denied as well due to failure to report for an examination.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability due to his conditions, age, education, and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the evidence supports a finding that the veteran's current right hip disability originated during his active military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection on four separate issues are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further investigation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development at the St. Louis RO due to his inability to travel to Chicago.

The Board found no current medical evidence of left hip or right knee disabilities, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions.