Hip decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings was denied. The Board found no current right hip disability, thus denying the claim of service connection for a right hip disability. For lumbar strain and right ankle sprain, the evidence did not show that the disabilities were caused by or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board found no credible evidence of herbicide exposure or service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hip or back disability and finds that his hip and low back conditions are not related to his service-connected right ankle disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability (other than dyshidrosis) was not incurred or aggravated during his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left hip disabilities, awarded a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis, and found that he is entitled to TDIU prior to March 28, 2013.

The Veteran's right knee and hip disabilities are not service-connected, but the claim for right knee disability has been reopened. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of secondary or aggravation by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a right knee disorder, as it is due to normal aging and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's back disability is related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral vision loss, a psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder), chronic headaches, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis of the right shoulder, arthritis of the left shoulder, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left knee, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hip or ankle disabilities and thus, service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and reopened the claim to reopen service connection for left hip disability. The underlying claims of entitlement to higher initial rating for right foot osteoarthritis are remanded.,Tinnitus is found to be incurred in service due to noise exposure during active duty, while left hip disability remains under consideration as a direct service connection case.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection of a right hip disability, left hip disability, and low back disability. The Veteran's service-connected left heel disability is alleged to have aggravated his right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a bilateral eye disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board concerning both issues of service connection for hypertension and a right hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability of the hips or knees that was incurred in service or is otherwise related to any disease, injury or event in service. The preponderance of evidence favors the conclusion that the Veteran's current hip and knee disabilities are unrelated to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip, right ankle, and left wrist disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left hip, and right hip disabilities on a secondary basis to his now service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The VA examiner found that these conditions are not related to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and supplemental opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip disability and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are necessary to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, as well as whether he is entitled to TDIU for the period prior to February 12, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent before June 18, 2012. A separate rating for loss of extension due to degenerative joint disease is granted. Service connection for a left hip disability remains pending.