Hip decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying service records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not incurred in line of duty due to his own willful misconduct, and thus cannot be granted service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ear, shoulder, hip, knee, and neurological disabilities. The VA examiner did not consider the effects of constant deep sea diving during service on these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities. The case is now REMANDED for additional examinations and opinions regarding various other issues, including service connection for right hand/wrist, bilateral ankle, hip, and shoulder disabilities; initial ratings for knee and lumbar spine disabilities; and a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence submitted since May 2002. The Board also remanded the claims for increased ratings of right hip disability, left knee arthroplasty (left knee replacement), and left hip disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and a review of his service records to determine if he experienced in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability, irritable bowel syndrome, dental trauma to two front teeth, bilateral knee disorder, residuals of a right fifth finger injury, and sinus condition. The VA is required to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if any current right hip disability is related to active service or events therein, including the alleged inservice right hip injury. Additionally, the Board must issue a statement of the case addressing whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, residuals of a right fifth finger injury, and a sinus condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to a lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran must submit additional evidence to reopen these claims.,A TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left hip, left knee, and left elbow disabilities. The right elbow, right hip, right knee, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic diarrhea claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of various conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The effective date for service connection remains August 12, 2004.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the claims on appeal regarding a lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's service treatment records show he was treated for strained back muscles in January 1973. However, his subsequent complaints of low back pain since service are not addressed by the VA examiners' opinions. For the left hip disability and ED claims, the Board found that further information is needed regarding the medications the Veteran takes for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 50% disability rating for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed left ankle, right ankle, left hip, right knee, and low back disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected left hip disability due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being held in abeyance.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right hip disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient information regarding their onset in service or relation to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and migraine headaches. The claims for service connection are not decided at this time.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip condition and a left knee condition, finding no current disability related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear periods of service, particularly from August 1977 to April 1985. The Veteran seeks service connection for left and right hip disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests clarification on whether he wishes to continue his appeals. The issues of increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip, right knee, and psychiatric disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.