Hip decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including preparation of an SOC and scheduling a Board hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hip disabilities are not related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology, nor is there any medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's DJD of the left knee is currently rated at 30% from October 1, 2015. The claim for an extension of a temporary 100% rating for DJD of the right knee post total knee arthroplasty with patellar resurfacing beyond July 31, 2013 is moot.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including upper cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and several psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to address these issues due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for viral hepatitis and found that new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, left and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left and right arm/elbow tendonitis, bilateral hip disability (secondary to left knee injury), and back disability (secondary to left knee injury).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied multiple times, and no new or material evidence has been received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current folliculitis is incurred during active service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with the exception of his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for parathyroidectomy with history of hyperthyroidism. The remaining issues on appeal include service connection for a left hip condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and heart condition, all claimed as secondary to service-connected parathyroidectomy.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip condition and an acquired psychiatric disability (depression/anxiety). However, the claim of service connection for these conditions remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing in-service onset or a nexus between current diagnoses and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate assessment of the Veteran's hip condition and need for a new examination. The claim is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected heart disability, finding that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted prior to April 1, 2009, and granted a 60 percent rating effective from April 1, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, fibrocystic breast disease, and has denied service connection for chronic headaches, low back disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and neuropathy of the right foot.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as his petition to reopen previously denied claims for gallbladder and stomach ulcer conditions. The appeal is dismissed for the remaining issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture caused his bilateral knee and hip disabilities, thus granting these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back and left hip disabilities, as well as consider all theories of service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbar spine disability that she claims is secondary to her service-connected right hip disability. The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is proximately due to or caused by her service-connected right hip disability, and if so, whether it is aggravated by this condition.

The Veteran does not have a current right hip disability and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin disability, right hip disability, and back disability due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of a left shoulder, left arm, or left hip disability. Service connection was not established for tinnitus due to lack of in-service exposure.