Hip decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, foot, and skin disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran also had his claims of right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorder (to include asthma), left wrist disability, left hand disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip condition, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability is granted. The appeal is remanded for further development.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability documentation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar stenosis with DDD and bilateral hip and knee conditions, including as secondary to lumbar stenosis. The claims must be remanded to update the electronic file and get an addendum opinion upon receipt of all of the Veteran’s treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. The same applies to his right hip disability claim.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for bilateral hip disability is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and determination of the etiology of any diagnosed hip disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left hip condition and bilateral hearing loss disability are denied.,Service connection for headaches is granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder characterized as depressive disorder.,PTSD service connection is reopened due to new evidence, but the claim remains denied.,Service connection for cervical spine disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases in the January 2018 decision, which denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU. The case is now returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (RO) for further action consistent with the terms of the JMPR.

The Veteran's left hip disability, including strain and osteoarthritis, is due to in-service trauma from parachute jumps. The right ankle disability was also caused by repeated trauma during service. Sleep apnea had its onset in service and continues since then. Migraine headaches began in service.,Right hip arthritis with limitation of extension and loss of flexion are currently rated as non-compensable, but further evaluation is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip disability, arthritis of the right shoulder, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine post fusion, and right inguinal hernia. Service connection was denied for a respiratory disability due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service records and the need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's right knee and left hip disabilities may be related to his service, but further development is needed to determine this.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, back condition, right hip condition, and left hip condition due to lack of verification of his periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training in the U.S. Army Reserve from March 1973 to 1989, and because he has not provided VA with records of treatment by physicians J.I., M.D., and D.N.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right hip disability and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete records. The Veteran must provide any outstanding VA and private medical treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, both secondary to PTSD. The other claims have been denied as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is granted service connection. The Board also granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, left hip arthritis (secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease), and obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, left hip disability, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals were dismissed or denied based on lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip and low back conditions due to a motor vehicle accident in service. The records from Fort Ord Army hospital need to be obtained, and VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the right ankle sprain with instability has also been granted. The ratings for these conditions remain at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and low back disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, right hip, right knee and bilateral lower leg disabilities due to the Veteran's sworn testimony about his injuries during parachuting in service. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.