Hip decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for neck disability, right hip disability, and neuropathy. Service connection was granted for acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain, a compensable rating for her right hip disability with limited flexion and right thigh impairment, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant treatment records, complete the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation folder, request information regarding in-service stressors, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right hip disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's lay statements are considered, but a VA examination is needed to determine if his current hip disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been reopened, and the rating of 10 percent for left knee subluxation has been restored. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for left hip, left ankle, and right ankle conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hand and knee disabilities, left hip disability, left ankle disabilities, right ankle disabilities, diabetes mellitus (to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents), and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to explore the etiology of these disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for her lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities as secondary to her service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to outstanding VA and private treatment records needing to be obtained. The Veteran should also undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity of her right and left knee disabilities and addendum opinions are needed regarding her lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment-like disorder, is granted. The cases for left hip, left knee, right knee, low back, nerve disability of the bilateral lower extremities (secondary to a low back disability), and both hands disabilities are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip and lumbar spine conditions. The claim for service connection for a right leg condition, right ankle condition, and right groin condition is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding their nature. Service connection for lumbar spine condition is granted as secondary to service-connected post-Magnusson stack repair right shoulder with subluxation. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder disability, cervical spine arthritis, and right shoulder scar are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of hypertension, Sjogren’s syndrome, bilateral hip disability, neck disability, back disability, asthma, bilateral CTS, left knee disorder, and seizures are all granted. The claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, IBS, and TMJ syndrome have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for his left knee condition, right hip condition, major depressive disorder, and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and arm, elbow, wrist, and psychiatric conditions. The issues have been recharacterized to reflect the benefit sought by the Veteran on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed back, neck, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation and no nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions in a previous VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee condition is secondary to his service-connected back and hip conditions. The examiner needs to provide a more comprehensive opinion addressing both causation and aggravation.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC benefits. The appeals are remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and reopened the claim for service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's appeal is granted on reopening, but not on merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability due to conflicting medical opinions. The VA will obtain additional records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if there is a link between his service-connected right ankle disability and his current right knee, hip or back conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a right hip disability, cervical spine disability, back disability, and right shoulder disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact on the right hip claim. A menstrual disability claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and development needs, including obtaining VA treatment records, private medical records from Dr. G.C., Dr. T.S., and a chiropractor, and an orthopedic opinion.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow, right elbow, and right hip disabilities as well as sinusitis. Service connection was granted for erectile dysfunction.

All claims for service connection are remanded. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted, but the other conditions remain in dispute.