Hip decisions — 2012

The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral heel spur disabilities to his active service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were more likely age-related than service-connected.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, related to his active service. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has residuals of a head injury, to include dizziness, anger and irritability, and sleep disturbance, related to his active service.

The Veteran's right hip disability is claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The low back disability claim has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a direct relationship with service.,Service connection for residuals of a fractured proximal phalanx of the third finger was denied due to lack of residual or chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right hip, knee, or leg disabilities and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for his right hip disability was granted, with a current rating of 40 percent effective December 8, 2011. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also currently under consideration.

The Board has awarded service connection for right sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The low back and hip disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current right or left hip disability separate from the service-connected radiculitis and sciatica of the lower extremities. The Veteran's complaints of bilateral hip pain were attributed to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left hip, status post-total hip arthroplasty, and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the regional office.

The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of statements of the case on service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision denying service connection for right ankle, hip, and knee disabilities is not final due to incomplete procedures. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right hip disability is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of fracture, right tibia and fibula.

The Board found that the weight of evidence does not show any credible evidence of an in-service right hip injury, and thus the appellant is not a Veteran for purposes of establishing service connection. As such, the claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied as there is no medical evidence of a current disability. The Veteran has already been granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability with scar, effective from the date of the November 2009 decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to establish the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining missing service treatment records and potentially reconstructing a possible in-service injury.