Hip decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a hip condition during service or within one year after separation, and the Veteran's current hip conditions are not related to his back disability. Therefore, service connection for right and left hip disabilities is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, knee disability, shoulder disability, elbow disability, wrist disability, hand disability, and hip disability are granted as they are considered direct service connections due to cold injury exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected pes cavus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including vision disorder, low back disability, groin disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability. The effective date of the grant of service connection for pes planus was set at February 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond December 1, 2010 based on need for convalescence following his right shoulder surgery. The initial rating for his right shoulder disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, left hip condition, and right hip condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current bilateral elbow disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, or sinusitis that can be attributed to active service. The lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right shoulder, right hip, and left hip disabilities as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran was provided with a VA examination to assess the current severity of her left knee disability.,VA is required to obtain all relevant treatment records from VA and any identified private providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are related to service, while his left hip and knee disabilities may be related to service or a separate incident. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and any further treatment records identified by the Veteran. The issues on appeal are whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for low back disability and entitlement to service connection for left hip disability secondary to a nonservice-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and development were not fully completed, and thus the claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability and granted it. The Veteran also received increased ratings for his left shoulder joint injury, low back strain, and left knee PFS with chondromalacia patella.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability and lumbar degenerative disc disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated at 10 percent prior to June 10, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow and right knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability of chronic abdominal soreness or a right hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for a TBI was withdrawn. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disorder were also withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of his back, right hip, and left hip disabilities. This includes providing corrective notice regarding secondary service connection, obtaining VA treatment records from February 2014 to present, and obtaining a supplemental medical opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his left knee disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes. The low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities were found to be unrelated to service.