Hip decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hearing loss had its onset in service and has been recurrent since that time, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right hip disability has been denied. The appeals for higher initial ratings for lumbar strain, left hip strain, and left thigh impingement are pending. The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with mood congruent psychotic features is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's current low back and left hip disabilities were not manifest in service or to a degree of 10 percent within one year of separation, and are unrelated to service. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that these disabilities were not caused by his service-connected left leg gunshot wound disability.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a heart disability, lumbar spine disability, or bilateral hip disability during the pendency of this appeal. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hip condition, including avascular necrosis and its residuals, is related to his service, particularly as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and a right hip disability, and has determined that the Veteran's MDD warrants increased ratings but not a temporary total evaluation. The decision also addressed issues related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, low back, and left hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and any outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not develop any of the claimed disabilities during service or as a result of his service-connected left knee disability. The claims for right leg, bilateral foot, low back, and right hip disabilities have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain, cervical spine strain, and right hip strain. The Veteran's current tension headaches are being remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip condition and increased rating for anxiety disorder. The claim for service connection was not supported by competent evidence of a current diagnosis, while the claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder prior to October 19, 2015, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right hip disability, left hip disability, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin condition, low back disability, left hip disability, left thigh disability, groin disability, and ripped anal region.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip and cervical spine disabilities were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain disability, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, and right hip disability are all granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found the preponderance of evidence against a finding that the Veteran's right shoulder, left hip, and right knee disabilities were incurred during active service or within one year after separation from service. The VA medical opinions obtained in April 2017 did not consider all relevant evidence of record, including private medical records indicating treatment for hip pain since 2001 and osteoarthritis of both knees secondary to old injuries in 2009.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service. The bilateral hip and knee disabilities are not directly related to service, but may have been aggravated by the service-connected pes planus.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current headache, bilateral hip, or right leg disability related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any such disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.