Hip decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, right hip disability, and left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right femur and lower back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete compliance with previous remand orders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a physical examination and an opinion on the relationship between his service-connected right knee disability and any current right hamstring and right hip conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities and granted them, finding new and material evidence. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as service connection for secondary conditions related to these knees. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral heel, ankle, and hip conditions are not related to her service-connected low back disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's right index finger disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and his right hip disability is rated as noncompensable. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the right index finger disability.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, residuals of shrapnel wound to the right hand, and left hip disability are all found to be related to service. However, there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service or within one year post-service, leading to a determination that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection for the right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of whether the Veteran has underlying pathology for his diagnosed left hip, bilateral knee, and low back pain. The claim will be further developed to determine if service connection can be established.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease with a 30 percent rating, effective from January 25, 2005. The right knee patellofemoral syndrome and thoracolumbar strain have been granted service connection as well, both effective from January 25, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. He is able to ambulate independently for short distances, is generally independent in self-care, is apparently able to feed himself, and is able to leave his house at his own discretion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left hip disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating for a left foot disability is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities are not related to his service or service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus denied all claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for a low back condition and a hip condition, both of which are found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made on the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing bilateral ankle, knee, or hip disability that was aggravated by service. The Veteran's pes planus is not considered to have been permanently worsened during service.