Hip decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his left hip disability, service connection for his right hip disorder and lumbar spine disorder. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple evaluations for her right hip disability over several years, including reductions and changes in evaluation. The case is being remanded to the RO for further review of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right hip conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The Board also found that these conditions were not proximately due to or aggravated by his left tarsal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and for an effective date earlier than February 15, 2007, for the award of service connection for tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his periods of active duty, including his second period from December 1990 to May 1991, and did not manifest within one year following separation from those periods. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation during service. For tinnitus, the Board determined that the Veteran did not file a claim for service connection prior to February 15, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, or left knee disability that is attributable to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right hip disability and an increased rating for his thoracic spine disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for right knee condition, service connection for a right hip disability (reopened), and service connection for other conditions. The decision also addressed issues related to his bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right hip, left hip, and knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of PTSD. The remaining claims were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right and left hip disabilities, as well as a chronic right knee disability, were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine disability. However, the appellant's preexisting conditions were not aggravated during active service or are otherwise related to her military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right knee disability, right hip disability, and lumbar strain have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right hip disability and finds that his symptoms are more likely related to his low back condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and left shoulder disability to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether one or more service-connected orthopedic conditions have caused or aggravated the Veteran's current left hip disability. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information and evidence, and a VA examination will be scheduled for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left hip disability and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his right hip condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right femur fracture did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by his service. The other claimed conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service.