Hip decisions — 2019

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left hip disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC were denied. The RO granted service connection for depressive disorder, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension with specific effective dates.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition, but denied it on the merits. The issues of increased ratings for back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right hip condition and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right hip disability was denied as the evidence did not show that her condition warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability, left knee meniscal tear, and left ankle disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right foot cold injury residuals, right toe amputation, and bilateral hip disability.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for a back disability, right hip disability, eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for left knee, right knee, right hip, and back conditions have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hip disorders, as well as the claim of service connection for disorders of the back and both knees. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but denied service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to her withdrawal of those claims during a July 2019 hearing. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower back disability, migraines, hepatitis C, and a bilateral hip disability due to conflicting evidence and lack of clear medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a right hip disability due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and her in-service complaints. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the right hip condition is related to service or any aggravation by her service-connected left knee or right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating since April 5, 2017. Ratings for right and left knee limitations of motion are denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent each are granted for right and left knee instability. The Veteran’s right hip disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a right hip condition due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right hip condition, and left hip condition due to conflicting opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service-connected right great-toe disability.

The Board has granted service connection for constipation and a left hip disability, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to his service-connected back pain.