Hip decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a left hip disability. The claims are being returned to VA for further development due to incomplete STRs.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of her low back and knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a right hip disability, is granted. However, the appeal is only partially successful in that it pertains to reopening the left hip disability claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service. The issue of entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis was also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and they will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee, hip, and ankle disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for left hip and rib disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran's neurological-related claims are remanded as new evidence suggests possible stroke, TIA, or meningioma.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to incomplete medical opinions and conflicting evidence. The Veteran's low back and right hip disabilities are being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the claims for a respiratory condition, lumbar spine disability, left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral pes planus, left hip disability (secondary to service-connected disability), right knee disability (secondary to service-connected disability), and sleep apnea. These issues will be addressed in further proceedings.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and bilateral hip conditions are not entitled to increased disability ratings. The effective date for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) is granted but with a later effective date than initially requested.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for DEA, as it was assigned based on his service discharge date.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided that the service connection for a left hip disability cannot be determined without additional information from an examiner, and thus the case is being sent back to VA for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The VA will request additional medical records and obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a brain aneurysm is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for a left knee disability cannot be reopened because no new and material evidence has been submitted to show that the preexisting condition worsened during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, right hip condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30%.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim to establish service connection for a bilateral hip disability, but has remanded it due to inadequate examination and opinions. The issue is now pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, left hip, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete service treatment records. The VA is instructed to obtain any outstanding records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip condition is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident and if it was aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for neck disability, bilateral hip disability, sinusitis, obstructive airway disease, insomnia, and TMJ dysfunction require further examination to determine their etiology. The issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions and the need to address a secondary theory of entitlement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.