Hip decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure proper development of the claims for service connection for back and left hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, as well as his bilateral ankle, left hip, low back, and left shoulder disabilities. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his missing service records and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted a 50% evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Veteran's frequent and severe migraines have been productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left hip disability is not related to his active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability evaluations for his right hip, left hip, dislocated fifth digit, and low back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disability, left hip disability, and back disability (L4-L5 disc herniation with surgery) due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and active duty or training.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination, as well as the referral of a right hip disability issue.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right hip disability, left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, stomach disorder, and others. The decision also addressed the Veteran's employment status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 40% evaluation assigned for fibromyalgia. The effective date remains December 15, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal involves four issues: increased ratings for his right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities; and a TDIU claim. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, arrange for an examination, and adjudicate the claims.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed bilateral hip disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic right hip or right knee disability for which service connection can be granted. The evidence shows no in-service injury to either joint, and no current diagnosis of a chronic condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current hip disability is not related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service. The only condition found with chronicity in service was sinusitis, which has been resolved and does not have residuals.

The Veteran's right knee, right hip, and muscle headache conditions are being remanded for additional development to determine their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a chronic condition during his period of active service and resolved all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected fractured left femur with associated hip and knee disabilities have been evaluated at a 20 percent rating for the entire appeal period. The evidence does not support an increase in evaluation beyond this level.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and requesting a medical opinion from the November 2010 VA examiner or another provider to determine if the Veteran's current hip and knee disabilities are related to his service or service-connected left ankle and/or left knee disabilities.