Hip decisions — 2018

The Veteran's back disability and endometriosis are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, breathing disability, memory loss disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal regarding entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected left inguinal hernia was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim. The Board also remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete examinations, including a lack of opinion regarding direct service connection. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for frostbite of the hands was dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for reopening service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, low back, and right hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of adequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need further VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the November 2014 VA examination report. The Veteran's right hip and low back conditions are being reviewed, as well as her left knee condition.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with a separate 30 percent rating for the right knee limitation of extension. Service connection is granted for a left shoulder disability but denied for low back, right hip, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided new VA examinations to address whether his bilateral hip disabilities, left knee, and left ankle are related to service. Ongoing VA medical records should also be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to October 3, 2008 and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to incomplete information from Social Security Administration.

The Board denied service connection for back and bilateral hip disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining private hearing test records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability. The bilateral hip disability is granted as aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hip and knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these disabilities are secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right hip, left hip, right leg, and left leg disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The cervical spine and shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, low back, and neck conditions are remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and he has been granted a separate rating for residuals of meniscus repair. The appeal regarding secondary service connection for hip and lower back conditions is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including knee and hip issues secondary to a right ankle condition, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals. The remaining claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and umbilical hernia have been reopened. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine strain, bilateral hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to the need for further examinations and additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support aggravating an existing condition during active duty training in June 1986.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, left sciatic radiculopathy, reactive airway disease, a right knee baker's cyst, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, left inguinal herniorrhaphy, and chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for eligibility to individual unemployability.