Hip decisions — 2013

The Board denied all claims for service connection, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or objective indications of chronic disability due to an undiagnosed illness related to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic right hip disability present in service or at any time thereafter, and the Veteran's current right hip disability is not related to his service-connected right knee fracture.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) to Muscle Group XIII, and assigned an initial 30 percent evaluation. The Veteran's right knee, left hip, and low back disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected SFW.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right hip disabilities were not incurred in service or due to any service-connected disability, thus denying both claims.

The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left hip disability, considering it as secondary to her already service-connected right and/or left knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hip disability did not have onset in service or within one year of service, and was not caused by or otherwise related to his active military service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased initial rating for a left hip disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his service-connected fracture of the left lower fibula or flat foot. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety), bilateral hip disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active duty service or secondary to his service-connected low back sprain.

The Board is reopening the claim for service connection of a low back disability and remanding other claims due to need for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left foot pes planus was not aggravated by service and did not have an increase in disability. The Board also determined that his current left ankle, knee, and hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip disability is not related to his service-connected disabilities and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his service-connected right upper and lower extremity chronic muscle pain, residuals of an electrical shock injury. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left hip disability, which he contends is related to his service-connected left knee disability. The Board has requested an addendum opinion from the VA examiner to determine if the current left hip disability was caused by or aggravated by either the service-connected left knee disability or low back disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hip disabilities that are secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding whether these hip disabilities are caused or aggravated by his knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the Veteran's bowel, bladder, nerve damage, spinal cord damage with residual low back disability, hip, knee, erectile dysfunction, immunity disorder, and spleen disabilities are not related to his military service or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.