Hip decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hip condition and there is no evidence of record linking his cervical spine condition to service-connected conditions. The claim for service connection for a bilateral hip condition as secondary to service-connected conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip, knee, and foot disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left leg/left hip disability, including osteomyelitis and avascular necrosis, was caused by VA treatment. As a result, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering whether to refer the case for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, a right hip disability, and hepatitis C were denied. The claim for increased ratings of the internal derangement of the right knee and degenerative joint disease of the right knee was also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity sciatica are found to be related to his active service. The bilateral hip disability is not found to be directly related to his service, but may be secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and right hip condition. The Veteran is currently without a statement of the case on these issues, which requires remand.

The Veteran's right hip disability has been rated at 50 percent since June 23, 2001. The current rating is maintained as the evidence does not show that the disability warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right hip disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is service connected as it was incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not support this claim. The Board also found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claims for dyslexia and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for bilateral hip condition and bilateral shoulder condition. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, as well as another VA examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being evaluated in relation to his service connection claims.

The Veteran has submitted new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for low back, upper back, bilateral hip, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Board will now review the merits of these reopened claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left hip or left knee disability and finds no evidence of such in service. The VA examination report found no relationship between any current left knee disability and service, including the 1981 treatment at Denver General Hospital.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability and right knee strain have been granted service connection. The right knee strain has been assigned a non-compensable rating prior to February 7, 2014, and a compensable (10%) rating thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee or left hip disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues, with the exception of her initial disability rating for left knee tibial plateau fracture and DJD. The other claims were not addressed due to lack of substantive appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back strain with chronic facet arthritis of the lumbar spine and denied service connection for his bilateral hip disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.