Hip decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and confirming the Veteran's address.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left shoulder replacement and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, SSA disability determination records, and private medical records.

The Veteran's ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, hand, and back disabilities are not service-connected. Early onset peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is also not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, depressive disorder, joint pain in shoulders, left hip, and left knee, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma or nevus, and toe joint disorders. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the previously denied claim for right hip disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as his right hip condition, have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability. The claim for left hip disability is granted as new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on both issues before the Board, and as a result, the cases are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for GERD. Service connection for GERD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance, as well as at the housebound rate prior to February 23, 2016. The right hip disability claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not on a period of authorized travel to duty in February 1964, when he claims he was struck by a car and injured. As such, his current left hip, left fibula, and left shoulder disabilities as well as his left leg lumbar radiculopathy, TBI, and headaches are not service-connected.

The Veteran's lower back, hip, and knee disabilities are being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine their etiology. The right ankle disability is also being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of her left hip disability, as well as the retrieval of any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is etiologically related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hip disability will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether any disability is related to active duty or secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination to determine if the appellant's pre-existing right hip disability was aggravated by his ACDUTRA service. The automobile certificate issue remains before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a right hip disability or kidney disability related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are linked to his military service.