Hip decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during service. The right hip disability issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a left hip injury or disability during service and concluded that the current left hip disability is not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining consent forms and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and left hip disabilities as well as his claims of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, left hip (previously total hip replacement), and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his military service. The left knee disability is also found to be related to service. Left IT band syndrome is considered proximately due to or the result of a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for a disability of the right knee, as it is related to in-service complaints and treatment. Service connection for disabilities of the bilateral hips is not established.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip and low back conditions are related to her service-connected left lower extremity disabilities or active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues include reopening the left shoulder disability claim and addressing claims for other disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, residuals of facial fracture, and left hip disability on a secondary basis to the service-connected right ankle fracture.