Hip decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar disability other than service-connected lumbar strain, bilateral hip disability, residuals of dysentery including GERD and IBS, chronic skin infections, and chronic vaginal infections have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing and reissuing the Statement of the Case at her most recent address. The issues include higher initial ratings for various hip and knee disabilities, as well as service connection for bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a Travel Board or videoconference hearing before a member of the Board. The Veteran must be notified of the date and time of the hearing.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability effective February 13, 2013. The Veteran's right hip and left knee disabilities were not service-connected, but his depressive disorder was increased to 50 percent from January 28, 2016.

The Board has granted the appellant's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and gout and arthritis of multiple joints. The July 1979 rating decision denying right knee disability is not found to contain CUE.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination regarding his right hip disability and its relationship to service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's service dates and potential exposure during National Guard service. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's residuals of left hip arthroplasty are related to his service. Service connection for residuals of left hip arthroplasty is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hand injury, right knee disability, and bilateral hip conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hip or left leg disability, and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his active service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right hip disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as they are more likely due to obesity, aging, and genetics rather than his military service.

The Veteran's asthma, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), back disability, cervical spine disability, heart disability, bilateral ankle disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability are not service connected. The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were found to be aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, claimed as secondary to service-connected orthopedic disabilities. The December 2014 VA medical opinion constitutes probative evidence against the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the cause of her headaches and right hip disability.

The Veteran's left hip disability, manifested by total hip arthroplasty in April 2012 due to arthritis, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any diagnosed conditions. The appellant's service connection claims will be readjudicated after the additional development is completed.

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

The Board found the Veteran's right shoulder and left hip disabilities do not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations. The Veteran's left index finger disability was rated compensably.

The Board denied service connection for right and left hip disabilities, finding that the current disabilities were not caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.