Hip decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left hip disability and her service. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and CPRS electronic records. The issues of an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected right femur disability and entitlement to a TDIU are being remanded as well.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for service-connected left hip arthroplasty status-post left hip septic arthritis with secondary degenerative joint disease from 50 percent to 30 percent was improper and restored the prior 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's hypertension and psoriasis were granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and right hand disability are also granted as direct service connection based on evidence of in-service onset or aggravation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a head injury, and his bilateral hip and low back disabilities are not linked to service. The claims were denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for left hip and low back disabilities that he believes are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing addendum opinions, is necessary before a final decision can be made.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a psychiatric disability related to his service and denied the claim. The left hip disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current right knee, hip and back disabilities and his service. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected right knee disability. The left foot disability issue remains pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck, back, hip, shoulder, and knee disabilities are not related to his military service, including a motor vehicle accident in service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip and low back disabilities, to include arthritis, did not manifest in service or within the first post-service year, are not etiologically related to service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The Board also found that these disabilities were not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left hip disabilities, finding that they are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and/or bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right hip disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left hip or right thumb disability that was caused by service, nor can it be attributed to any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bulging disc and arthritis in the lumbar spine status post lammectomy with fusion and burr removal, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The right knee condition and bilateral hip condition claims were also denied.,There is no credible evidence of record indicating any current right knee or bilateral hip conditions related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.