Hip decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a current left hip disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions in the September 2007 examination report.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her chronic right hip disability, finding that her symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the available schedular criteria.

The veteran's disabilities, including right hip disability and diabetes, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes due to their combined rating of 40 percent. The RO assigned ratings based on each individual condition under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence of a right hip disorder separate from the veteran's service-connected low back strain and denied both his claim for service connection for a right hip condition and his request for an increased rating for his low back strain.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and leg disabilities. The effective date for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders was denied as it did not meet the schedular criteria prior to August 10, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disability, bilateral hip disability, or sinusitis. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's request for service connection for right and left hip disabilities is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a hearing in Waco, Texas.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for new and material evidence to reopen his left hip disability claim. The TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the percentage requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

Service connection was not granted for the claimed hip, knee, or thumb disabilities as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that led to current disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities as secondary to her service-connected lower back disability. The case is remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining medical records from Dr. K.F., a VA examination by a physician with appropriate expertise, and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip condition, heart condition and hypertension, and left knee condition have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including postoperative residuals of right shoulder separation and secondary conditions. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis or treatment for these claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right hip disabilities, as well as his claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability. The case is being remanded to clarify whether cervical DJD is considered service-connected.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected gunshot wound to the right foot. However, it was denied on the merits. The veteran's bilateral hip disability and bilateral knee disability were also found not to be related to his service-connected gunshot wound to the right foot.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a chronic spine disability, right hip disability, and right ankle disability. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claims for right hip and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, bilateral hip condition, right knee condition, and depression, all secondary to his service-connected excision of mass from distal left thigh and left knee disability. The effective date remains August 16, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities due to service and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle osteoarthritis, finding that it is proximately due to the veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for back, right leg (third degree burns), bilateral hip, and mental conditions. The Board found that there was no in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions, and that any current disabilities are not related to service.