Hip decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip disability did not manifest within a year of separation from active service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is permanently aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip disability, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and/or low back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examination reports and the need for additional medical opinions. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private treatment records, as well as any SSA disability benefits information. The Veteran is also asked to identify any other medical providers who treated him for his hip and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left hip or left knee disability, and thus the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and left shoulder disabilities are the result of injuries sustained during service, including multiple parachute jumps. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee osteoarthritis is related to military service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is granted, with a 40% disability rating effective from December 4, 2007 to November 28, 2012. The claim for an increased rating for the same condition after that date remains denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to the issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability and entitlement to a higher initial rating for PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of hemorrhoids, lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee disabilities, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) related to service. The right hip disability is also not supported by evidence.

The Board denied service connection for left hip, right hip, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral elbow condition, right hip condition and right wrist condition are related to her active duty service.,Service connection is granted for all three conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the VA RO in Atlanta, Georgia. The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left hip disabilities are pending.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and hip disability, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or presumed exposure. The hip disability was granted as it met criteria for an undiagnosed illness under the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it is caused by his service-connected left knee disability. The appeal regarding tinnitus was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the issuance of a final decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right hip disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional examinations and remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding previous VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip and back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied claims for service connection.,The Veteran's hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess his left ankle disability. The examiner must also provide opinions on whether the service-connected left ankle disability at least as likely as not aggravated the right hip disability.