Hip decisions — 2017

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for a TDIU effective from June 3, 2014, and his service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected left knee, right hip, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the Appellant, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder. The Veteran's account of in-service stressors and symptomatology is credible and highly probative. Service connection is granted based on the presumption of soundness.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, including service connection for a left hip disability and increased ratings for various joints and hypertension. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities were denied as the Veteran failed to report to scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are granted as these conditions have existed continuously since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his right ear hearing loss, sleep disturbance, bilateral knee, left hip, and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hip disability and blood clots in his left leg, as well as whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues with VA examinations, notification of such examinations, and service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for left knee and hip disabilities are being reviewed.

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

The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right hip condition and a low back disability are not properly characterized, as they may be related to service-connected right knee strain. The Veteran's claims must therefore be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left knee disability, service connection for a lumbar spine disability secondary to his left knee disability, and service connection for bilateral hip disability secondary to his left knee disability have all been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a gait disorder, to include involving the hips and spine, at any time during the appeal period. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hip condition and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and readjudicating all issues on appeal. The Veteran's claims of service connection are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, left leg, and left foot conditions are still pending.