Hip decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the appellant's right hip disability is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for an increased evaluation for the lumbar spine disability was adjudicated and a separate 10 percent evaluation for neurologic manifestations of the lumbar spine disability from September 23, 2002, has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing at the Veteran's preferred location in Pennsylvania.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the appellant's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis, is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, lumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right foot disability related to service, and his bilateral hip and right knee disabilities are not secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed stressors and insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right hip disability, which she claims is related to her service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The Board has ordered the RO to provide another VA examination and opinion regarding whether the right hip disability is proximately due to or caused by her service-connected right and/or left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, neck disability, and right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lung disorder and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, related to his service-connected knee condition, will be further evaluated.

The Veteran's left hip disability is etiologically related to his service-connected below-the-knee-amputation of the left leg. The Board has determined that he should be afforded a VA examination to determine whether his right hip disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Muskogee, Oklahoma RO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle condition is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left knee conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them from appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness and tingling of the legs, as well as a left hip disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected lumbar spine disability and these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a bilateral knee or hip disability due to disease or injury incurred in service, and denied his claims for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including left ankle arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, right hip condition (to include arthritis), and dizziness. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to afford the Veteran a VA examination and obtain relevant medical records. The issues on appeal include service connection for hiatal hernia, right leg disability (secondary to low back disability), right hip disability (secondary to low back disability), and low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement residuals are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation. The Board found that his disability does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.