Hip decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee, right hip, and low back conditions are not related to his active service. The evidence did not show any specific injuries or diagnoses in service, and the medical opinions concluded that the Veteran's conditions were more likely due to natural aging rather than service-related activities.

The Veteran's appeal has been resolved in part. His higher rating and earlier effective date claims for lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted, as well as his TDIU claim based on service-connected disabilities. However, his initial rating claim for tinnitus is dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case on his increased disability rating and earlier effective date claims. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hip or knee disabilities and finds no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The VA examiner's opinion was given significant weight in reaching this conclusion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions, was denied by the Board. The decision found that the Veteran does not currently have a right hip disability for VA purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a thorough examination and review of the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip and groin conditions, including consideration of any current disability.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, left hip disability, and right knee disability have all been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hip disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The back claim remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted entitlement to this condition. The Veteran's current diagnoses include osteoarthritis in his right leg, left knee, hips, and headaches, all presumed secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hip and lumbar spine disabilities. The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to deciding the issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right leg disorder, including hip and knee conditions, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all listed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for new and material evidence, as well as for obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities are being evaluated in relation to his service-connected DISH of the lumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hip disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for his claimed condition, as it is at least in equipoise with the possibility that he has trochanteric bursitis which began during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disability and whether it is caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disability and right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral foot condition, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity myeralgia paresthetica, and service connection for a left hip condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.