Hip decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left hip disability and brain tumor claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, right knee, left hip, and eye disabilities due to service-connected pes planus. The issues include determining if these conditions are related to service or aggravated by pes planus, as well as assessing their current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting bilateral flat foot disability worsened during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA). The issues are being remanded for VA examinations to provide opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee, left knee, right hip, lower back, left ankle, and right foot disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a rib disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence within one year of the November 2006 rating decision.,Service connection for residuals of TBI is denied as there are no current residuals found by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to issues with the effective date of his increased PTSD rating, service connection for various conditions, and other disability ratings. The RO will need to correct these errors and provide a statement of the case on the earlier effective date issue.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hip, left hip, neck and back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service treatment records include references to a motorcycle accident and surf rescue injuries. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right hip condition, right knee condition, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,No current diagnosed conditions were found in the Veteran's records that are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for further development and examination. The main issues are related to service connection, rating higher than 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, and psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to outstanding VA treatment records, private and Federal records related to motor vehicle accidents, and a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The claims for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating for chronic low back strain and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need a new examination to assess his current disability level.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his service-connected left hip and left knee disabilities has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew all issues currently on appeal.

This decision grants service connection for tinnitus and a painful left-hand stab wound dorsum scar, but denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and foot disabilities. The Veteran's right hip disability is remanded for further review under the theory of secondary service connection.,reasoning for denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss: There is no evidence of current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right hip disability due to new evidence received since the 1977 denial. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence showing that the current right hip disability had its onset in service or was caused by any service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a bilateral hip disability, finding that these conditions are not related to service or the Veteran's service-connected left ankle condition.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction, mood disorder, and sleep apnea is granted. Effective dates are set at April 12, 2016. Service connection for other conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is service-connected, and his lower back and hip disabilities are also service-connected as secondary to the knee disability. The Board has granted these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back and bilateral hip disability, neck disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine due to unclear diagnosis and need for further clarification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including low back, left hip, right thigh/hip, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The decision found that these conditions were not related to his service or service-connected right knee disability.