Hip decisions — 2018

Service connection granted for various disabilities including bilateral shoulder, neck, back, hip, leg, and foot osteoarthritis as well as peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is also remanded for anemia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, bilateral hip disability, bilateral shoulder avascular necrosis, tinnitus, sleep disorder, and headache disability.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, cataracts, dental disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss, right leg/thigh disability, left leg disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and removal of the right ovary have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a cervical spine disability, fecal incontinence, internal and external hemorrhoids, and bilateral hip disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip condition and type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that is related to the current conditions. The Veteran's left great toe amputation was granted a rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a hip condition secondary to patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee. The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating of 70 percent prior to April 13, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back, bilateral hips, and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are also remanded as there is inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left hip, low back strain, and left ankle disabilities. The Board found that these conditions existed prior to service and were not aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition as secondary to his service-connected right hip disability.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral hip disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and either service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a spider bite of the right hand, left hip condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition. The acquired psychiatric disorder was granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection of a right leg disability, left hip disability (secondary to a service-connected condition), and low back disability. The issues have been REMANDED for further development.

Service connection for depression, substance abuse, and sleep disorder has been dismissed.,Service connection for cardiovascular disorder is denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for right hip disability to include as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for left hip disability to include as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for knee joint pain to include as due to an undiagnosed illness remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for respiratory disorder to include as due to an undiagnosed illness remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability (dry eyes) and a higher rating for his right knee disabilities. The decision also denied the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability and credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service, thus establishing service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete examinations, lack of updated treatment records, and other procedural issues. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right shoulder and hip disabilities as well as the severity of his service-connected residuals of a coccyx fracture.

The Board has decided to remand two increased rating claims for the service-connected left and right hip disabilities due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records, and he must be scheduled for an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's right hip disability is found to be related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to their potential relationship with his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his service or service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right hip disabilities due to inadequate examination in December 2014. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently service-connected as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.