Hip decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn with respect to his claims of service connection for renal cancer and a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet. The remaining issues are decided as follows.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the left leg other than his already service-connected radiculopathy and left knee disability. The claims for bilateral shoulder, hip, and left knee disabilities are also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as scheduling new VA examinations for his lumbar spine, right hip, and eczema disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current left hip disability that can be attributed to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a hematoma of the abdominal wound, atopic dermatitis, right hip disability, right ankle disability, spastic colon, tinea pedis, and hemorrhagic gastritis. The new evidence received since the last final denial is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeals were denied for various conditions and benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in previous decisions and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, an acquired psychiatric disability, and other conditions. The Veteran appealed these decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Veterans Court), which granted a joint motion vacating the May 2009 decision denying service connection for glaucoma and an acquired psychiatric disability and remanded those issues to the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip disabilities are service-connected, with the right knee disability being secondary to his service-connected left hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip and left shoulder disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is therefore being remanded for appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to the need for clarification of diagnoses, etiology opinions, and consideration of aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral hip and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right foot DJD with hallux valgus post fracture of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd metatarsals disability. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records from Dr. M.S. and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed bilateral hip and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for low back and left hip disabilities. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined, so a decision on one issue cannot be rendered until the other is considered.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability, which is now granted. The Veteran's current low back and right hip disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, including asbestosis and mesothelioma was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for mesothelioma, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and depression.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent since the effective date of service connection, and his left hip disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's restless leg syndrome has been assigned a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's initial increased ratings for GERD, left hip disability, and restless leg syndrome have been granted.