Hip decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right hip condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, and lumbar spine condition due to procedural reasons. The effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for head injury, neck disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right hip disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hallux rigidus of the right and left feet, as well as service connection for knee disabilities secondary to bilateral foot disability are denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues related to knee, hip, back, and nerve damage.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for hypertension, skin disorder (including jungle rot), cervical spine disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, left hip disability, and right hip disability are remanded due to inadequate examinations and need further clarification.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD and a bilateral hip disability. The decision found that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service and that any current hip disability is not secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's right hip and right knee conditions have been granted service connection, with a temporary total rating for hospitalization following the surgeries.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right hip disabilities have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The right hip condition claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for a left hip condition and low back condition are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy sciatic nerve, right lower extremity. The claims of service connection for ankle and knee disabilities were reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, the appeals for TDIU prior to February 28, 2018, and as of that date, remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for earlier effective date of October 5, 1994 for bilateral hip disability is denied. The issues of service connection for low back disability and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to missing medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and will consider all evidence before deciding on the service connection for a left hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, but the claims for left hip disability and cervical spine disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted. Service connection for migraine headaches and hypertension, both secondary to PTSD, were also granted. The issues of service connection for right and left hip disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disability and right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if his current hip and knee conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psoriasis, arthritis inflammation (psoriatic arthritis), left hip disability, and right knee disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.,Secondary service connection was also denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's service-connected groin disabilities and his hip and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating claims have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the case to obtain a current VA examination for LLE radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, rating, and TDIU due to deficiencies in previous examinations and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's hip disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Veteran also needs a VA examination to determine if his back injury is etiologically related to service.