Hip decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical examination to determine if any of the claimed disabilities are caused or aggravated by the service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and notification of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. His traumatic arthritis of the left knee remains at a 10% rating, but he is granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his right knee disability claim and denied all other issues on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and right hip conditions are not secondary to his service-connected right knee condition, and thus denied these claims. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain and right hip disability were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence of hemorrhoids or a bilateral hip disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a right hip disability prior to the Board's decision. The remaining claims of service connection for depression, rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee and back disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and bilateral hip disabilities due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, bilateral hand, bilateral knee, and genitourinary disabilities are caused by or related to his service-connected Reiter's Syndrome.

The Veteran's left hip disability was rated at 10 percent prior to June 25, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip and low back disabilities are not related to his active duty service.,Service connection for a bilateral knee disability on a secondary basis is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or nexus with the current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, bilateral knee, and right ankle conditions are not due to or caused by his service-connected left leg varicose veins. The VA examiner found no relationship between these conditions and the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities are not related to his service or any incident therein. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found no evidence of any diagnosed disorders of the wrists, hands or knees during or after active service. The Veteran's complaints were attributed to repetitive motions and cold weather, but there is no objective evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of any low back disability and right hip disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a bilateral hip disability secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left hip disability. The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing the claims file.