Hip decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a medical examination to address the etiology of any current right arm, hip, and leg disabilities. The Veteran's lay assertions regarding exposure to high radiofrequency and microwave radiation from the Hawk surface to air radar system are considered credible.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as his right ankle, left ankle, low back, and right hip disabilities. The case is also remanded to obtain updated treatment records and provide new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining the Veteran's DD Form 214 and verifying periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IADT). The AOJ should also obtain VA medical records and provide a supplemental VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran has current low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and right leg/hip disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition within one year post-service. The VA examiner opined that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for a right hip disability, to include as secondary to residuals of stress fractures of the ankles. The underlying claim for service connection is addressed in the REMAND portion and is REMANDED.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ankle or left hip disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's right hip disability is related to military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, a low back disability, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right hip disability to allow for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing or videoconference hearing.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, left hip, and back conditions have been reopened. The Veteran's knee conditions are also pending.,Service connection for a kidney disability is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for urinary tract infections, left hip disability, right foot tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's Peyronie's disease. The other claims were not addressed in detail.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including the assignment of an initial disability evaluation for his left shoulder disability and a determination on whether he should be granted an increased rating for his right hip disability. The issues of service connection for a left shoulder disorder and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for a right hip disability are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a lung condition. The Board will request clarification regarding his exposure history and medical records from VA and private providers.,The Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities may be related to his service-connected foot disability, but further examination is needed to determine if they are aggravated by the service-connected conditions.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a left and right hip disability. Further examination is required to determine whether these disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected foot disability.,The Veteran claims secondary service connection for groin pain due to his bilateral hip disabilities. A VA examiner will be requested to provide an opinion on this issue.,The Veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected conditions. The Board will request clarification regarding the effectiveness of his service-connected conditions and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's low back DDD was granted a rating of 40 percent effective November 17, 2014. However, service connection for his bilateral hip condition secondary to the low back disability was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left hip disability and the Veteran's reports are not credible. For his right hip, while he was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not related to service due to lack of in-service injury or treatment.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the medical opinions provided in September 2014. The Veteran's right wrist, hip, and testicle disabilities are still under review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records. The AOJ will attempt to obtain these records and then readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities, nature and etiology of any low back and bilateral hip disabilities, and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a right femur fracture, and his right knee, left knee, and right hip disabilities are not service-connected. The Veteran's phlebitis is considered as incurred in service.