Hip decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left hip, and neck disabilities. The temporary total rating for convalescence due to treatment of a service-connected left ankle disability was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability including arthritis that is related to service, and thus cannot be granted service connection for this condition.,Similarly, the Board has found no evidence of a current left knee disability including arthritis that can be attributed to service. The Veteran's current left knee disabilities are presumed to have developed post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, left hip disability, and low back disability as secondary to his existing service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability did not clearly and unmistakably pre-exist service, but also determined that it was less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back and hip disabilities, as well as his sinusitis and constipation, are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no credible continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including seeking VA medical records and private treatment records. The Veteran will also be provided an examination to evaluate his low back, bilateral legs, and right hip conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left shoulder and hip disabilities, and an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any SSA records. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current right knee disability and right hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities as they are found to be directly related to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities are related to his service-connected cold injury residuals of the bilateral feet.

The Veteran's right foot pes planus was granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran had in-service complaints and physical duties related to his right shoulder, right hip, and left hip disabilities, but did not provide an opinion on whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right hip disability related to his service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability and sensory neuropathy of the right upper extremity are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing a current separate left hip disability or aggravation of an already service-connected condition. The claim for secondary service connection to his service-connected lumbar disc disease was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing as requested by the Veteran. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for various burn injuries and their secondary effects.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The leg disability other than peripheral neuropathy, pes planus and restless leg syndrome was also not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, conduct examinations, and determine the appropriate rating for his service-connected left leg gunshot wound disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's left hip disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, considering his complete and relevant medical history.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate reasons and bases in its denial of service connection for various hand, thumb, and heat exhaustion/heat stroke disabilities. The Veteran is already service-connected for other conditions affecting these areas.