Hip decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her service-connected left hip disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of rating and service connection for other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for hip disability. The Veteran is seeking direct service connection or aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition is granted, as new evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition is denied, as no new and material evidence was received since the final denial of the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is granted as service connection due to the preponderance of evidence showing it was incurred during his military service.,Service connection for a skin condition (noted as persistent rash) is denied because there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development of evidence and for an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hip and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the periods from September 2, 2011 to December 11, 2012, and from February 2, 2013 to December 3, 2016. The issue was dismissed prior to June 19, 2011 and from December 4, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to outstanding development needs.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right hip disability may be service-connected as secondary to his already-service connected left hip condition, but requires additional development for a proper determination.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left hip disabilities, with a rating of 40 percent effective from December 15, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back condition, bilateral hip condition, bilateral knee condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to incomplete records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all available records including from McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Brick, New Jersey, emergency room records related to the Veteran's low back condition, treatment records related to his knee surgery, and TriCare records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right hip and lower back disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left foot fracture. However, further medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sacroiliac joint disability (claimed as hip disability) is granted. The claim of an increased rating greater than 20 percent for lumbar spine disability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for right ear hearing loss, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist condition and a left hip condition due to the lack of current diagnoses, as pain alone without a medical diagnosis is not sufficient for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip and low back conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his in-service right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded other issues due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for right hand finger laceration, residual scar is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The remaining service connection claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an increased rating for left great toe degenerative joint disease and service connection for a right hip disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The issues of service connection for a left hip condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously claimed as anxiety and depression; right hip disability, secondary to service-connected left hip, toes, lower back, and bilateral leg disability; and hyperhidrosis. The Veteran's claims are now before the AOJ for further development.