Hip decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip disability is service connected based on continuity of symptomatology from service. The hearing loss claim was denied as there is no current hearing loss by VA standards.

The veteran's claims for service connection of various joint disabilities and varicocele are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is instructed to obtain treatment records, schedule the veteran for a comprehensive VA examination, and provide an opinion regarding the relationship between current disabilities and active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hip disabilities and his right shoulder disability is not service-connected. The claims are denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that the veteran's preexisting left knee disability was aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for secondary service connection and an increased rating for his left knee disability are being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction for additional development.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's current bilateral hip disability or arthritis was incurred during service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied all of the veteran's claims for service connection, finding that none of his claimed disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The claims for left knee disability and bilateral hip disability were also denied as there is no indication they are related to active service or any service-connected condition.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, bilateral hip/knee/shoulder disabilities, and depression were not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability secondary to the veteran's service-connected bilateral flatfeet. The veteran's bilateral hip disability is not service connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative TMJ dysfunction was incurred in service, while his left hip disability is not attributable to any incident during service.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claim of a right hip disability being incurred or aggravated by service. The Board concluded that the pre-existing condition was not aggravated during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hip condition, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service, particularly given the presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has not determined whether the veteran's hip disabilities are service-connected. The claim for a right hip disability was previously denied, but new evidence supports reopening of this claim. However, no new evidence has been provided to support the left hip disability.

The Board found that the veteran's hip and knee disabilities were not caused by or related to his service-connected right foot disability, nor were they directly linked to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine if the veteran has current low back and left hip disabilities that are related to his service-connected left knee disability or active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, hip, and left shoulder disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses incurred during active military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the veteran's claimed disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hip disability, trench foot residuals, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hydrocele.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and review of Social Security Administration records.