Hip decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability and a digestive disability (diverticulitis) as the evidence did not show these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of depression.,The Veteran's right hip disability was previously rated at 30 percent prior to February 3, 2016. From April 1, 2017, the rating has been increased to 50 percent due to moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain, or limitation of motion.,The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's sciatica in the right lower extremity warrants a 20 percent rating as it manifests with moderate incomplete paralysis.

The claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and bilateral hip disabilities is reopened due to new evidence. However, the remanded issues include determining if these conditions are secondary to service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide medical records from his private doctors, and a VA examination will be conducted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis and the Board found that his subjective complaints of pain alone do not constitute a disability.,For residuals of a right distal fibula fracture, prior to April 9, 2018, the Veteran's claim was denied as he did not have a marked ankle disability. Effective April 9, 2018, a rating of 30 percent was granted for malunion with marked ankle disability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and hip disabilities were both denied as there is no evidence that the flexion limitation meets or exceeds the required criteria for an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claim for increased rating of right hip disability was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of left foot navicular stress fractures is granted. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, minimal lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and disc bulge L4-5, right hip disability, residuals of a left hip stress fracture, bilateral lower extremity plantar nerve mixed neuropathy, fibromyalgia, left foot hallux valgus, status post bunionectomy and osteotomy, and right foot hallux valgus, status post bunionectomy and osteotomy are all remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for back, bilateral hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis.

The Veteran's right quadriceps muscle rupture is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for a higher evaluation has been denied.,For his right hip disability prior to November 20, 2013, the initial evaluations have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left hip disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to unclear evidence regarding the onset of his conditions. The case will be reviewed with additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete information. The Veteran needs further VA examinations to address his back disability, right leg disability, right hip disability, hernia condition, and thyroid disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete information. The Veteran must be provided with additional examinations and opinions regarding his back disability, right leg disability, right hip disability, hernia, and thyroid disorder.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability based on the submission of new and material evidence is denied. The claims for right hip, left hip disabilities, and carpal tunnel syndrome (right and left upper extremities) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip condition existed prior to service and if it worsened during service.

The claim of service connection for a right knee and right hip disabilities has been reopened due to new evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, right tibial periostitis, and left tibial periostitis are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty and inactive duty training (IDT) service. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence or inadequate examinations.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an effective date prior to June 5, 2013 for the award of service connection for spondylosis, entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for spondylosis, and entitlement to service connection for disabilities of the right and left hips, cardiomyopathy, and GERD.