Hip decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim. The AOJ will arrange for new examinations and obtain expert opinions on these issues.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's posttraumatic Achilles tendinitis of the left ankle is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA pension benefits was not properly created due to VA's fault, and thus the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case for the issue of payment of CRSC/CRDP. The case must be returned to the Board only if the Veteran perfects his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral eye disability, low back disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for bilateral knee disability, shoulder disability, elbow disability, wrist disability, and hip disability due to cold injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his service connection claims. The appeal is now pending again and will be reconsidered after the Veteran completes the required examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria to establish entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, or bilateral leg disability. The April 2009 rating decision denying service connection for a heart disability is final.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hip disability as a result of his service and therefore denied the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The heart condition, hip disability, and right shoulder disability were also not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also finds that additional development is necessary before a decision may be made regarding the remaining issues on appeal, including right quadriceps and hip disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip symptoms are associated with his service-connected sacroiliac disability and denied a separate rating for a left hip disability. For the period from July 14, 2010 to August 23, 2011, the Veteran was granted an increased rating of 10 percent for chronic sacroiliac joint disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, bilateral hip, and back disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gunshot residuals in the right leg, a right hip disability, and a right arm disability as there is no competent evidence of these conditions during or in proximity to his appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left knee disabilities, as well as a respiratory disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability did not develop during service and is not related to any service-connected conditions, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and sciatic nerve paralysis disabilities, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for right Achilles tendonitis, right hip disability, respiratory disability including bronchitis, and hypoglycemia have been granted. The diagnoses are as follows: Right Achilles tendonitis was not diagnosed; Right hip disability is attributed to service with a diagnosis of trochanteric pain syndrome; Respiratory disability including bronchitis is intermittent and secondary to allergic bronchitis; Hypoglycemia resolved after eating.