Hip decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified depressive disorder, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, sciatic radicular pain, leg conditions, hip condition, low back pain, headaches, vision (claimed as bad eyes), and sarcoidosis have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip condition was denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for left knee instability, beginning March 30, 2012. Other issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include secondary service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for reconsideration in light of additional evidence, including private treatment records from various VA and non-VA facilities. The Appellant is requesting that these matters be reconsidered.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of low back pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder).

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of respiratory disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, and left hip disability due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal. The claim for service connection of right knee disability was denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disability that are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral feet or knees. A 50% rating is assigned for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied, and the right hip disability claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, including as due to a service-connected condition, and for a disability manifested by limitation of motion in the right leg (also claimed as a right knee disability).,Neither the Veteran nor her representative raised any other issues.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right hip and knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's service treatment records do not provide sufficient evidence of his claimed exposures or injuries. Additional development is needed to verify his alleged combat exposure in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right hip disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10% rating for the Veteran's left and right ankle conditions, as well as his left and right hip conditions. The ratings are based on painful limitation of flexion under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Veteran's initial ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left and right knees have been granted. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD has been remanded, as well as the issues regarding service connection for hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, including a bilateral hip disability. The issues include increased ratings for panic disorder, lumbar strain, asthma, and right leg varicose veins.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right trapezius muscle strain prior to April 21, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is also remanded. Her claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip acetabulum labrum tear is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability, erectile dysfunction, and liver disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted, while claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), heart disorder, osteopenia, cervical spine (neck) disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability as there was no evidence of moderate or worse impairment in any of these conditions.