Hip decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of any bilateral hip and thigh conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was aggravated by his service, and the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip and hand disabilities are not service-connected, as they were not shown in service or within one year post-service. The right hip arthritis is not caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The bilateral hand disability was not due to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip condition, left rotator cuff tendonitis, and right rotator cuff tendonitis are not service-connected as they are not related to his active military service or his service-connected left knee and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions did not manifest during or within one year after service, and are not etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his bilateral hip and right leg disabilities as well as the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left hip or left leg disabilities and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right hip and low back disabilities, as well as the severity of his service-connected left knee and left hip disabilities. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for vision problems, basal cell carcinoma, left elbow disability, and digestive problems were denied as they are not service-connected. The Board found that the current conditions do not have a direct link to service.

The Veteran's hip disability prevented him from participating in his chosen program of education within the otherwise applicable eligibility period, and he is entitled to an extension of 11 months and 11 days for Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hip disability and her left hip Coxa Saltans is not related to service. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a nexus opinion on whether the Veteran's current left knee and left hip disabilities are causally related to his active military service or to his service-connected left ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the appellant's claims, including obtaining his Social Security Administration records and service treatment records from all periods of active duty. The VA will also schedule a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed disabilities are related to service or undiagnosed illness due to Southwest Asia service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and shoulder conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected knee disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran's current back condition is not service connected.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right hip disability with degenerative joint disease and finds that new evidence submitted by the Veteran raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the medical evidence does not support a finding that the current hip condition is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with psychosis, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder. The issues of PTSD and a right hip disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's left hip disability, including limitation of extension and flexion, is currently rated at 40 percent disabling. The Veteran also has separate ratings for limitation of abduction (20 percent), PTSD (50 percent), degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (20 percent), tinnitus (10 percent), diabetes (10 percent), and hearing loss (noncompensable). These combined ratings result in a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's left and right hip disabilities were granted increased ratings of 30 percent effective from December 17, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying any claimed Reserve service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip disability and cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.