Hip decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hip and back disabilities as secondary to his right knee disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current hip or back disabilities, and there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed left hip disability and therefore denied her claim of service connection for this condition. The right knee disability claim is pending further development.

The Board found that the veteran's low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his service-connected right knee disability. The psychiatric disability (Major Depression) is considered a separate issue from the service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for fibromyalgia was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip disability, which is part of his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis, warrants a 10 percent evaluation from June 8, 2001 to December 22, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to obtain service medical records and other relevant documents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for her right knee, right ankle, and right hip disabilities. The claim for post-traumatic headaches was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for wedging of the lumbosacral spine at L2, residuals of a sacroiliac injury, migraine headaches, residuals of left shoulder injury, residuals of left knee injury, and left hip disability. The claims were denied on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's right hip and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of lumbar spine arthritis and service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine arthritis.

The Board found no evidence of a current left hip or left knee disability and denied service connection for these conditions, finding the claims not supported by medical evidence.

The veteran's service-connected above-the-knee amputation has led to secondary shoulder, knee, and hip disabilities. However, there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right hip disability, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not show that the condition warranted a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's radiculopathy affecting the right lower extremity warrants a rating of 20 percent, and service connection for his right hip disability is denied as not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disability and right foot plantar fasciitis, both secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The VA determined that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for lack of timely notice of disagreement regarding service connection for left hip and back disabilities. The veteran's bilateral hip and low back conditions are not considered to be aggravated by a 1986 incident during Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The original claim for bilateral hip disability was denied, but no effective date is assigned as it relates to reopening of claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip and left shoulder conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a causal relationship. The respiratory condition, left ulnar nerve palsy, and enlarged prostate have been found to be related to herbicide exposure during service. However, additional disability in the left shoulder is attributed to an assault by another patient while hospitalized at VA facilities, and right hip disability is attributed to that same incident.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current disability of the left shoulder, left hip, or right hip. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the right knee and leg, left knee and leg, left arm, or bilateral hip that is related to military service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and low back disabilities, both claimed as secondary to service-connected varicose veins of the left lower extremity. The case is now pending with the RO for further development.