Hip decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fractures of the left tibia and fibula, as well as his associated back and bilateral hip disabilities, were incurred in the line of duty during active service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's right leg pain due to Achilles tendinitis is characterized by persistent pain and limitation of motion during flare-ups, warranting a rating higher than the current 20 percent.

The Veteran's current upper, middle and lower back disabilities are found to be related to injuries sustained during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder, right ankle, left knee, left hip, mid-back, and bilateral thumb conditions are related to his service due to combat injuries. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hip, back, and knee disabilities did not begin during or were otherwise caused by his active service, including his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, hip and ankle disorders, as well as an adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection of his bilateral hip and ankle disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted service connection based on the presumption in favor of Persian Gulf War veterans. The other issues have not yet been decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee, hip, and ankle disabilities have been denied. The claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability is also denied.

The Veteran's right knee and hip disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, effective September 2009. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all remaining issues, including those related to service connection and rating determinations.

The Veteran's hypertension has been found to be related to service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's left hip and low back disabilities. The issues of service connection remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of some issues related to his prostate condition and sleep apnea. The decision also includes a determination that he is eligible for special monthly compensation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected and denied his claims.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a left hip condition, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were granted. He is now rated at 30 percent for his left big toe disability, with additional ratings for his right foot condition, low back disability, and right hip disability due to residuals of the hairline fracture.,New evidence submitted since the June 2002 rating decision has reopened his claims for service connection for knee disabilities. He is now rated at 30 percent for each knee disability.