Hip decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for joint pain (arthralgia) to the right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee that is due to a diagnosable but medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness of unknown etiology. The Veteran's service in Southwest Asia is presumed to have caused his joint pain.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid & attendance or housebound status is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records. The issue is inextricably intertwined with the other SMC claim and service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and records. The Veteran is required to undergo examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back and left hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The claims are remanded for further evaluation of other issues, including scars from right knee surgery and convalescence time for left hip replacement.

An effective date of August 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability and left knee disability secondary to his right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, but denied service connection for cervical, right knee, left shoulder, and right hip conditions. The decision also remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, sleep apnea, and seizure disorder are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 12, 2017.

The Veteran's left shoulder, back, and right hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service.,There is no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right hip and bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. Her current 10 percent ratings are upheld.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent urinary tract infection, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, hand pain (claimed as cyst on the hand), back disability, shin splints, or skin rashes on the arm. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder. The claims for left hip, right hip, and audiological disabilities are denied due to lack of current disability or no evidence linking the conditions to service. The claim for a right ankle disability is denied because there is no evidence it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including his psychiatric disorder, hiatal hernia, and left hip disability. The Veteran will need to undergo further medical examinations and obtain additional records in order for these cases to be properly adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his active military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide credible statements regarding in-service injuries or continuity of symptoms after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be reviewed with a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's facial scars have been rated as noncompensable due to the absence of characteristics of disfigurement or pain. The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.,Several service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded, including cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, left hip disability, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), GERD, erectile dysfunction, headaches, neurological disabilities of the buttocks and lower extremities, chronic pain, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims, rating determinations, and a TDIU claim due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeals concerning service connection and increased ratings for his back condition, bilateral hip disability, PTSD, and right knee disability have been dismissed. The appeal for a TDIU has been granted.