Hip decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left hip disability is not service-connected, and her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability, manifested by neurological pain in the right lower extremity, is secondary to his service-connected T9-S1 Fusion (lumbar spine disability) and right foot drop.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for bilateral knee and hip conditions have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a separate left hip disability, and his current hip condition is part of his already service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to his military service.,As a result, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as he does not have any service-connected disabilities upon which to base this claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as a right hip disability, all due to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not establish such exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding service treatment records from November 2004, which mention hip pain and decreased flex of hip flexors. The case will be returned to the Board after a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the Veteran's submission of a September 2015 statement and an Informal Hearing Presentation. The case will be returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination. The issues of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, psychiatric disabilities, left hip, right hip, and right hand disabilities are now before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right foot disability, nerve damage to his elbow, hip condition, knee condition, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues were decided on the merits as there was no indication of a presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, back, or right hip disabilities to his service. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his service connection claims, particularly concerning his bilateral pes planus and knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg length discrepancy secondary to a left hip disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was not supported by the evidence of record, and thus remains denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hip disability related to service, either on a direct basis or as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, headaches, lower back disability, bilateral hip disability as secondary to the lower back disability, neck disability, and left knee disability. The appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal for the claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 4, 2009. The claims for service connection of sciatica and cervical spine disability are denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to the service-connected hip disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is as likely as not secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, a left knee disability, and disabilities manifested by pain in the left ankle/foot and right ankle/foot (other than from the service-connected right foot drop).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and an increased rating for his right knee disability, finding no evidence to support these claims. The Veteran was also not granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a right hip disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) from June 17, 1980 to September 9, 1980. The VA examiner found no evidence that any pre-existing right hip disability was permanently aggravated or worsened beyond normal progression during the appellant's ACDUTRA.