Hip decisions — 2006

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral ankle and hip disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining service medical records from November 1990 to July 1991, is necessary before a decision can be made.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition secondary to her service-connected left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence showing that the hip condition was caused or aggravated by the knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, or any other claimed disabilities. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to clarify the relationship between the veteran's service-connected pes planus and his claimed disabilities, including bilateral ankle, knee, hip conditions, and degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his right hip disability and the current extent of his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip disability and abdominal shell fragment wound residuals do not meet the criteria for service connection or an increased rating, respectively.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and right hip disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision is final on the issue of right hip disability due to lack of timely appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right hip, and right leg disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues regarding service connection and increased rating for neck injury.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, separate evaluations of 10 percent for scars on the right leg and lateral leg extending onto the buttock, or an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for postoperative residuals of right femur fracture with hip disability and shortening of the leg.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and low back disability, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for a healed left pubis fracture. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection or a link between the disabilities and either active duty service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, including a back disability, arthritis of multiple joints, bilateral hip disability, leg disability, and erectile dysfunction with sterility. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records from Georgia Baptist Hospital and to provide proper VCAA notice regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for residuals of umbilical hernia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from identified providers and readjudicating the claim.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for right hip and right lower leg conditions have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims.

The Board found no evidence of a wrist disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are pending, but will be deferred until completion of the requested medical examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are secondary to her service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, resulting in a 20% rating for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, nerve damage to the left arm and shoulder, and nerve damage to the left foot are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to his active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. Juba and knee replacement surgery records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder, evaluations of left and right hip disabilities, and evaluation of chronic lumbosacral strain and residuals of concussion and closed head injury with headache. The appeals were based on direct service connection criteria.