Hip decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hip disability, excluding a left hamstring strain and an ischium avulsion fracture, was not related to his period of active duty service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim also required additional development as per the November 2015 remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability and right hip disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service. The claim for residuals of chest trauma was reopened but denied on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left hip condition is not related to service or her service-connected low back condition, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral heel disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for the right shoulder degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for the right hip, right knee, and right leg disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including left underarm pain, right underarm pain, neck disability, back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, residuals of rib fractures, residuals of head injury (skull injury), and headaches. The Veteran's service records are unavailable due to no fault on his part.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left hip disability due to lack of evidence showing that the current condition was caused or aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is at least as likely as not caused by undue stress due to his service-connected residuals of a right foot fracture, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed hip and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support service connection for upper respiratory disease, gastritis as secondary to upper respiratory disease, or right hip condition. Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was not addressed due to a withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left hip disability and whether it is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the February 2012 and August 2013 VA examinations are inadequate, as they did not consider the Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service parachute jumps. The case is therefore being remanded for further examination and consideration of all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issue of tinnitus. Service connection is denied for left arm disability, cervical radiculopathy, lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica, bilateral hip disability, right ear hearing loss, skin disability, and asthma.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his low back and hip disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left hip disability, status post THA was denied. The Board found that the additional disability did not result from VA care or negligence. Service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted and rated at 70 percent effective February 18, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's current hip and knee conditions are not found to be related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hip condition is not related to service and cannot be attributed to his service-connected lumbosacral musculoligamentous strain. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development on the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including an addendum opinion regarding his bilateral knee disability and left hip disability. The case is also referred to VA's Compensation Service for consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, is secondary to his service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia patellae. The claim for a bilateral hip condition was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back or right hip condition and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.