Hip decisions — 2014

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral hip disability and the VA examiner found no evidence of such. The Veteran's claim for service connection for her claimed bilateral hip disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, left elbow disability, left hip disability, and left knee disability are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and will be reconsidered after obtaining them.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD, but further development is needed to determine if there was a stressor event in service and whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of his hearing notice. He will be scheduled for a new Travel Board hearing at his correct address.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left foot and leg disabilities. The diabetes mellitus disability is also considered secondary to these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present low back disability. The issue of service connection for bilateral hip disability will also be addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, a left hip condition, and a right hip condition. The claim of service connection for a left inguinal hernia and Crohn's disease is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of fracture, deformity, right foot due to multiple fractures of tarsal bone; ankylosis, right ankle; and strain, left foot prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as a clarification of his claim regarding service connection for a bilateral hip disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence linking current diagnoses to service. The claims were denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sickle cell trait was not incurred or aggravated in active service and his liver disorder/jaundice and hip disability/avascular necrosis are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hip disabilities are not secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records, arrange for examinations, and ensure that the claims are adjudicated on a complete evidentiary record.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for low back, bilateral hip, bilateral leg, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence suggests a possible link between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected tension headaches.

The Board has found that there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral hip disability and therefore, the Veteran's claim for service connection for this condition must be denied.

The Veteran does not have a chronic left hip disability that is attributable to active service or was caused or made worse by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a secondary service connection theory of entitlement as to any hip disability diagnosed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's personnel records, VA treatment records, and a supplemental opinion regarding his tinnitus. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.