Hip decisions — 2012

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his low back and left hip disabilities, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hearing loss is more likely due to presbycusis or age-related changes, rather than service connection. For his back, hip and leg disabilities, additional VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding secondary service connection for left hip disability on the basis of aggravation by a service-connected back disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a supplemental VA examination.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary for the claims of service connection for left knee and hip disabilities, as well as whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's heart disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee disability, and left hip disability are not service-connected as they were either not incurred or aggravated by service or due to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right hip disability is currently rated at 50 percent from December 1, 2009. The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent effective December 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip and leg disabilities, as well as other conditions, have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosed disability in these areas.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,New evidence has not been received to reopen previously denied claims of fibromyalgia, right knee disability, gastritis, vertigo with syncope, stomach ulcers, or a heart condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a bilateral knee or hip disability due to disease or injury which was incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor is any current disability proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran had chronic otitis media, which was granted service connection. However, all other issues related to his low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, and right hip disability were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO due to scheduling issues for a video-conference hearing. The claims for service connection on various conditions are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability and left shoulder disorder, including arthritis, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The disabilities are also not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to incomplete in-patient records from December 1957. The other claims are deferred until the remand is completed.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's mild dysplasia associated with HPV, kidney condition, or right hip condition to her military service. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle and right hip disabilities are service-connected, with a combined disability rating of 90 percent from April 1, 1999 to September 18, 2000. As his service-connected disabilities precluded employment for which his education and occupational experience would have otherwise qualified him during this period, the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims and a challenge to the validity of an overpayment of VA benefits. The Board is remanding the case for further development, including adjudicating whether the underlying debt was validly created.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed right hip disability and the Board finds that his current pain in the upper buttock region is not related to service. The low back disability, however, has been addressed separately.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of a current right hip disability related to service, and the muscle damage to the right lower back cannot be reasonably disassociated from service. As such, the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, ankle, and hip disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between the conditions and active service.