Hip decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for left hip, right hip, and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral hip disability and the Veteran's complaints are more likely related to his back condition. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral hip disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left leg/left hip disability, including residuals of osteomyelitis, was not determined to be caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected hidradenitis suppurativa with scarring, right knee chondromalacia, right knee laxity, and any right hip disability. The etiology of any right hip disability is also being evaluated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his left hip disability, as well as the current severity of his service-connected right ankle and left tibia and fibula disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for sacroiliac fusion and denied the remaining claims, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to her active duty service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy during flare-ups, and completing development on issues related to neck and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for disabilities of the right hip, lumbar spine, and right knee due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back, hip, and leg disabilities are not service-connected as they are considered to be due to natural aging process or unrelated to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a right middle finger injury and granted an increased rating to 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from June 16, 2011, forward. The other issues remain unresolved.

The VA medical opinion found no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing care for the Veteran's right hip disability. The Veteran's current right hip disability is considered to be a result of his own conditions and not due to any fault of VA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints and bilateral hip disability, finding no current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule him for a VA examination. The issues include service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current left hip disability did not originate in service and is not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability. The Veteran's disabilities are being considered as secondary to his service-connected foot disability.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD claim has been granted. However, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left hip disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hip or right knee disability causally related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.