Hip decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his left hip, left leg, and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not properly severed from service connection, and has granted service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral flat feet.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hip disability is not related to his service, including an in-service car accident. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's right hip disability is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and SSA disability determination records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic headache disorder has been reopened and granted. His secondary claim for right hip disability due to lumbar degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain is also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and increased evaluations for his right shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not establish that any current conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including bilateral foot disabilities, left and right hip/knee disabilities, rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, residuals of a nasal fracture (including deviated septum), sleep apnea, and chronic folliculitis. The Veteran's hearing loss is also service connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a right hip disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports reopening of the claim. The Board also found that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right ankle disability and reopened claims for cervical, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology. Further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to reopening a claim for left hip disability and secondary service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's representative raised a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior RO rating decision, which is intertwined with the new and material evidence issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hip disability is related to his steroid treatment during ACDUTRA, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and clarification of a previous VA examination.

The Board finds that there is no evidence of a chronic left hip disability or cystic lump on the left scrotum due to service. The Veteran's complaints and findings during service were not diagnosed as such, and post-service medical records do not support current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and left hip disabilities are not service connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board has dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a joint disorder of the right hand/fingers. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, arranging for additional medical examinations, and readjudicating all issues.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for her left hip disability was denied. The Board found that the current schedular ratings adequately account for her symptoms and manifestations.

The Veteran's left hip disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities. The right ankle disability rating reduction from 20% to 10% was upheld as the VA examination did not reflect sustained material improvement of the right ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and thoracic outlet syndrome status post cervical rib resection do not warrant a compensable rating since June 1, 2006. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated as non-compensable.