Hip decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for groin, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to a lack of current diagnoses. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted service connection and rated at 10%.,Service-connected back disability was initially granted a 20% rating, which has been increased to 30% after March 25, 2017. The current rating of 20% remains unchanged prior to that date.,The Veteran's left hip disability is rated at 10%. No higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's left foot disability is currently rated at 20%, and no higher rating is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including skin cancer and hypertension. The remaining issues are also being remanded for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including a lumbosacral spine disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, bilateral leg disability, headaches, pulmonary embolism, and DVT of the left leg. The appeal is being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for a bilateral hip disability and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the lower extremities.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, atrial fibrillation, aortic valve replacement, pacemaker installation, and digestive condition (Barrett’s syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)). Service connection is remanded for right hip condition, left hip condition, and colon cancer.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability. The claims for left ankle, left knee, recurrent chest pain, bilateral shoulder, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities are denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability or that any such disabilities are related to service. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinus bradycardia, stomach disability, facial cellulitis, scalp dermatitis, headache, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, updated medical records, and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's hip and low back disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left hip condition, including replacement, is granted service connection. The respiratory conditions are remanded for further review. SMC for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for nonservice-connected pension due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The cases for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee injury, bilateral hip disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hip disability is granted and the appeal is remanded due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his service as a paratrooper and his current bilateral hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability with arthritis, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The cervical spine disability was also found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability could not be established as there was no evidence of chronic disease noted in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology has not been shown since service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, a right hip disability, a left hip disability, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claims were remanded for additional development regarding his left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including residuals of a broken left fifth finger, low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and psychiatric disability are all granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and lung disability, have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.,Service connection is only granted if there is medical evidence linking the current condition to an injury or disease incurred during active duty. The Veteran's claims are based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange (AO) herbicides, but the Board found no direct link between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service connection for pes planus is granted, and the Board finds that his back and hip conditions are aggravated by his service-connected pes planus. The issues of secondary service connection for back and hip conditions to pes planus are remanded.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its prior remand directives and thus requires a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right hip disability is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities and/or flat feet.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right hip condition, bilateral ankle disorder, and mild degenerative joint disease (DJD), lumbar spine with spondylosis due to additional development being required.