Hip decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any left hip disability present at during the relevant appeal period (September 2009 to present).

The VA denied the Appellant's claims of service connection for multiple arthralgias (claimed as bilateral hand and hip conditions), to include fibromyalgia, and a bilateral knee disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, right foot condition, and right hip condition, as well as his claim for service connection of the right hip condition secondary to a right foot condition. The VA examiner found that these conditions are not related to service or caused by any other identified conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal in a March 2017 statement, which included her name and case number.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from May 17, 2016. The Board found that the combined effects of his cervical spine disability and bilateral arm disabilities do not warrant an extraschedular rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hip condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not linked to an in-service incurrence or a previously service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran increased ratings for his left knee, left hip, and lumbar spine disabilities. The left knee disability is now rated at 60 percent, the left hip disability at 30 percent, and the lumbar spine disability at 40 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, knee, hip and shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records related to the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's left hip disability is found to be directly related to his service, specifically the stress fractures he experienced during basic training. The right hip disability is not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors and no current diagnosis of PTSD. For bilateral pes planus, the Board noted that the disability existed prior to active duty and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's sleep disorder and left hip disability are not found to be related to her service-connected lumbar strain. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% and his left lower extremity radiculopathy is separately evaluated at 20%. The Board granted the increased ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, but the evidence is not sufficient to establish service connection for all of the conditions listed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral knee condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hip and neck conditions are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip disability and whether it is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's gunshot wound residuals of the head, face, and neck. The Veteran also has other disabilities that preclude locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair or similar device.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities have been withdrawn by the appellant. The claimant is granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and determined that it is proximately due to a service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right ear disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hip disability are still pending.