Hip decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the issues are being remanded due to missing medical records and need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim prior to June 16, 2015.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and rating for various disabilities. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being examined again due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and inadequate examination in 2011. A new peripheral vestibular disorder (vertigo) claim is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee and left hip disabilities, as secondary to a claimed left knee disability. The claims are granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hip, low back, and chest disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) remains denied as there is no new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left hip disability (secondary to service-connected disabilities), lumbar spine strain, and left ankle sprain due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased rating for right knee disability, service connection for left knee disability, service connection for right hip disability, service connection for left hip disability, service connection for back disability, and service connection for neck disability due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has decided to remand several issues related to his knee disabilities, low back disability, thigh disability (characterized by pain), hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeal is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his claim for an initial compensable disability rating for status-post right elbow contusion. The Board also finds that additional VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's claims regarding service connection for right knee condition, lower back condition, right hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip condition, left knee condition, and PTSD due to insufficient evidence in some cases and because updated examinations are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of private medical records and an incomplete VA examination. The Veteran's right hip disability is being reviewed again for possible service connection.

The Board previously denied service connection for low back and left hip disabilities. The Court has now remanded these claims due to inadequate examination reports, which did not consider the Veteran's lay evidence of continuous pain since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, neuropathy of the face with motor dysfunction, bilateral shoulder disability, radiculopathy in bilateral lower extremities, left hip disability, and right finger disability, have rendered him unemployable prior to July 30, 2015. The Board granted his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the combined impact of these disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right ankle and right hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his in-service left ankle sprain. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities in his right ankle or right hip.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a back disability is granted. Service connection for left hip, right hip, and peripheral vascular disease are denied as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for her service-connected sacroiliitis of the lumbar spine and left hip disability were denied. The Veteran was granted a temporary total evaluation based on treatment requiring convalescence, but no higher evaluations were assigned.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for a chronic sinus disability, a bilateral knee disability, and a right hip disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar DDD as secondary to right knee disorders was denied. The claim for bilateral hip disability as secondary to right knee disorders is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left hip disability is related to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current hip condition is linked to his in-service complaints and any existing service-connected conditions.