Hip decisions — 2017

The Board denied service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right hip condition, including for the residuals of an injury sustained while on active duty. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address whether his current right hip condition is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right hip, and shortened right leg disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and for further medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed DJD of the lumbosacral spine or left hip was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lower extremity shell fragment wound residuals.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU due to ongoing appeal on initial ratings for service-connected disabilities, including right hip and knee disabilities. The RO is instructed to issue a statement of the case addressing these issues before proceeding with further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including restless leg syndrome, acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), lower back disability, left hip disability, and sleep apnea, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome or establish a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left hip disability distinct from his service-connected neuralgia of the sciatic nerve affecting his left lower extremity. The only contentions in the record are the Veteran's own statements, which the Board finds insufficient to establish a separate diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent for plantar calluses effective February 20, 2015. Service connection for heart condition and diabetes mellitus are also granted as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left hip disability or right knee disability for which he can be granted service connection. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including back, hip, shoulder, knee, prostate cancer, colon cancer, kidney condition, bladder condition, hypertension, head injury from dizziness, headaches, and depression have been denied. The left hand scar is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities have been denied due to a lack of new and material evidence for the left hip disability claim, and because there is no medical nexus between the current hip disabilities and either active service or a service-connected condition. The right hip disability claim was not reopened as it was considered part of the initial appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the service connection of his left hip disability, including whether it is secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability is not related to service, as there is no evidence of a current left or right wrist condition during service and no medical opinion linking his current carpal tunnel syndrome to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current left hip disability and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current left hip disability, swollen neck glands, or left eye disability that is connected to his active military service.,VA medical examinations found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip and right knee disabilities due to incomplete development, including a lack of notification regarding the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) records search. The Veteran will be notified if these records are unavailable.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and records to determine if service connection can be established for back problems, hip disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the provision of secondary service connection notice. The claims for a compensable evaluation for residuals of left femur fracture, bilateral hip condition, and left knee condition are also being remanded.