Hip decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his claims for service connection for right hip disability status post right hip arthroplasty and degenerative joint disease of the right knee have been dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it is not related to his military service or to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection were denied. The RO found that the Veteran's right knee, left hip, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities are not shown to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left hip disability is related to her service or any other conditions. The case will be remanded for further development and readjudication under both direct and secondary theories of service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current left foot, left knee, and left hip disabilities. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right arm/elbow, bilateral hip, and low back conditions, are not related to his military service or service-connected knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, right hip, low back, and right hand disabilities. The claim for sinusitis was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing. Service connection is also granted for left shoulder impingement with AC joint arthritis.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a scar of the right lower leg, but not for a left hip disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain and left hip symptoms, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The Board also found that the current left hip strain was aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a bilateral hip condition, to include arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ankle conditions and left hip condition, as these issues are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes cavus. Therefore, these disabilities have been granted secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right and left hip disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each since January 27, 2011 for the right hip and March 6, 2013 for the left hip. The ratings are based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hip, ankle, and knee disabilities are not related to his service. The claim for bilateral knee disability was previously denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.