Hip decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease with bulging disc at L5-S1 with sacroiliitis was not incurred in service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's low back degenerative changes are found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The right knee and hip conditions are also found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed back, right hip, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left hip condition, left knee condition, and left ankle condition as they are not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left hip disability or bilateral CTS, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and personnel records, and providing the Veteran with an orthopedic examination to determine if his current bilateral hip conditions, left shoulder condition, and low back condition are related to his military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hip disability is not related to his service-connected knee disabilities and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate examination for the Veteran's claimed fibromyalgia, lower back pain, and bilateral hip disability. The Veteran also needs proper notice on how to substantiate her claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran is to be provided an appropriate time period to respond before the claims file is returned to the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the back, including a hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as his ankle disabilities, were denied. His claims for increased ratings for knee disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability, hip disabilities, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran also raised new claims regarding right knee and foot disabilities secondary to his hip disabilities.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for myositis ossificans, upper shaft of the left femur (claimed as left hip disability) due to lack of evidence showing onset in or within one year after service and no link to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as her claim for an increased rating for the residuals of a compound, comminuted fracture of the right tibia and a simple fracture of the right fibula remained at 30 percent. Service connection was granted for back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service, including being caused or made worse by his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's low back strain, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip arthritis are all found to be related to service. The lung disorder is not established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back strain and the reopening of his right hip disability claim were denied. The effective date for service connection for PTSD was granted as December 14, 1990.