Hip decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, gallbladder disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, mental health disorder, nerve disorder, and sleep disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran was found not to have hearing loss in either ear meeting VA criteria for a disability.

The Board has found clear and unmistakable error in the January 2011 rating decision that denied service connection for a right hip condition. The effective date of March 9, 2010 is granted as this is the earliest possible date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved as the claim was not received within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for prostate, gallstones, kidney stones, right shoulder, bilateral knee, and hip disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to incomplete procedures in handling his claims, including a lack of Statement of the Case on issues related to hip disabilities and leg disabilities.

Service connection is granted for right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether it was caused by service.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's representative provided a private opinion stating that his current condition may or may not be related to service, which is considered speculative and thus remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable as they impair his ability to sit, stand, or walk for prolonged periods. A TDIU rating is granted effective December 14, 2014.,For the period prior to August 16, 2012, a separate 10 percent rating for left hip disability based on limitation of flexion is granted; higher than 30 percent rating for left hip disability based on femur impairment is denied. The Veteran's constipation has been rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy and constipation claims are part of his lumbar spine increased rating claim, which remains before the Board.,An increased rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded; an increased rating for left hip disability since August 16, 2012 is also remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a liver disability. The claims of service connection for malaria, right shoulder disability, and right hip disability are remanded due to missing records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle, left hip and right hip disabilities due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and for entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and neurological disorder (radiculopathy of the hands and feet) as there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service or events therein. The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that all disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and information.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims and a TDIU claim. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is also being remanded for an additional VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right hip disability and left hip disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions and records to determine if the Veteran sustained an additional disability from his surgeries and whether that disability was caused by carelessness or negligence.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, right and left ankle, left elbow, right elbow, cervical spine, thoracic spine, left wrist, right wrist, left hip, right hip, right knee, left knee, and chronic bronchitis disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right hip disability, left ear hearing loss, and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hip disability, and bilateral knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's symptoms need further evaluation by VA examiners.