Hip decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease (DJD) status post arthroscopy with partial medial meniscectomy, is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The preponderance of evidence does not show that the Veteran had presumptive exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange, nor is there probative evidence of exposure to such. As for diabetes mellitus type II, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that additional efforts are needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records, which may be held by various entities including his Reserve units and hospitals in Korea and Japan. The case is therefore being remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any found right hip, bilateral knee, and back disability. The Veteran's service connection claims are also being remanded due to his claim of entitlement to a rating in excess 30 percent for left hip degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral hip disability, and sinusitis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or periods of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip and lumbar spine conditions, including as secondary to her service-connected right knee disability. However, it denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for right knee surgical scars.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis, C4-5, status post diskectomy with fusion. Service connection was denied for a left hip disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including seeking clarification on SSA benefits and clarifying the in-service stressor related to PTSD. A VA examination will also be scheduled to address his back and hip claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hip condition, and neck condition. The examiner will need to provide opinions regarding whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active military service.

The Veteran's hip disability, type II diabetes mellitus (DMII), lung disability, sinus disability, and nasal polyps are all found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted the Veteran's request for withdrawal of appeals for increased ratings for his right hip disability and PTSD with depressive disorder. The claim for an increased rating for scars due to shrapnel and motor vehicle accident was not fully substantiated.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's hip disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected ankle disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed leg disability, and the Board finds that his hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, back disability, and left hip disability are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses due to service-connected disabilities is not in order because she has coverage under a health-plan contract (Medicare).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left ear hearing loss, and right shoulder disability have been granted. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are denied.,No effective date has been assigned as the evidence is not sufficient to establish when these disabilities began.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected left knee disability, the severity of his left hip disability, and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertonicity of the right plantar flexion muscle group, claimed as a right foot disability, is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or sciatic nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, associated with a lumbar spine disability.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right hip disability is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or sciatic nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, associated with a lumbar spine disability. The Board has not made a determination on whether the Veteran's allergies and/or sinus disability are secondary to his service-connected scar, left nose.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection and reopening of claims, as well as a request for a video conference hearing. The appellant's current address needs to be clarified before he is notified of the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.