Hip decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle spasms, coccygodynia, bilateral hip disability, and hemorrhoids have been denied as there is no probative evidence of a current disability or nexus to active service.,Service connection cannot be granted based on the presumptive provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 due to the Veteran's claimed hemorrhoids not being a chronic multisymptom illness or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal with respect to all issues pending before the Board.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee and left knee are granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and hip disability are also granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service, including exposure to radiation. He does not have a current diagnosis of pancreatitis or hip disability. His polycythemia was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service.,There is no evidence that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of pancreatitis. The medical record shows he had an acute episode of pancreatitis shortly after service, but there are no subsequent complaints or diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left hip disability, which he claims is related to his fall off the back of a truck during active duty and duties as a rifleman. The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion addressing both direct and secondary service connection.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a November 19, 2015 decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) because there was no final denial of benefits to review.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar herniated disc and right hip disability, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and left hip disability are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective date and increased rating for right leg sciatic sensory neuropathy with right ankle motor weakness, as well as service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right and left hip disabilities, as well as an increased rating for a right leg length discrepancy and atrophy of the right lower extremity were denied. The effective dates for service connection were determined to be November 19, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and asking the Veteran to identify any outstanding evidence. The appeal will be further reviewed after these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability, low back disability, loss of vision, fatigue (no energy), dizziness, and accelerated pulse are not service-connected.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a video-conference hearing, and no other specific issues have been resolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's current upper back, lower back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic disability.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation.,The presumption of soundness is rebutted and the Veteran's left hip disability pre-existed his November 2002 active duty service.,The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia patella degenerative changes, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder that had its onset in service, manifested within one year of separation from service, or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hip and leg disabilities, as well as obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right ankle, knee, lower leg, upper leg, and hip disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The decision also denied entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate as there was no single disability rated as 100% disabling or a TDIU rating based on multiple disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee bursitis is rated at 10 percent prior to September 2010 and at 60 percent from that date. The service connection for a right hip condition secondary to the service-connected right knee disability has been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left hip disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of hemorrhoids. His claimed hemorrhoids were previously diagnosed in 1998.