Hip decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability, a left knee disability, and lung cancer. The evidence did not support these claims as there was no in-service injury or exposure to asbestos that could be linked to current disabilities.

The veteran's left hip disability was rated at 40 percent effective September 28, 2007. Prior to this date, the disability had been rated as 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and an addendum from the December 2006 VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hip and low back disabilities are not service connected, as they were not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee, left knee, bilateral hip, or low back condition for which service connection can be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left hip disability is due to her in-service symptoms and finds service connection for residuals of a left hip injury with calcified phleboliths is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities are not related to his service-connected low back disability, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including a VA examination to determine the current severity and etiology of his service-connected left hip disability, as well as any right hip and lumbar spine disorders. The examiner will need to assess whether these conditions are related to his service-connected left hip disability.

The Board found that the veteran's right hip disability and tingling in the arms and hands were not incurred or aggravated by service. The case is being remanded for further examination to clarify the etiology of current upper extremity neurological symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right shoulder disability, neck disability, low back disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, or left ankle disability.,Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea, bilateral hip disability, or right foot Achilles tendonitis related to his military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left hip disability. The Board also found that the veteran does not have a current left hip disability of service origin.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or impairment of the sciatic nerve, and denied service connection for left knee and hip disabilities as secondary to his herniated nucleus pulposus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and service connection for a bilateral hip condition. The decision also notes that the veteran is not currently diagnosed with a hip condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip disability but denied service connection for a shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and bilateral hip disabilities are not related to her service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has reopened multiple service connection claims but denied the underlying claims on the merits. The veteran's TMJ dysfunction claim is granted, while his other claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip disability but denied service connection for a shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right hip, and left hip disabilities. The initial ratings assigned are 10 percent each.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to determine whether the veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service and whether his hip and back conditions are related to his pes planus or military service. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.