Hip decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cyclothymic disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The claims for left leg, right leg, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are denied due to lack of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff impingement syndrome, which was previously rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent effective September 2009, is not entitled to a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The April 2, 2002 rating decision granting increased disability ratings of 10 percent for the service connected right hip and thoracic spine disabilities was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Veteran's arguments do not constitute clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right knee, bilateral hip, and low back disabilities due to the need for further development and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for all issues. The bilateral elbow disability claim is denied as new and material evidence was submitted, while back and left hip disabilities are reopened due to new evidence. Service connection for these conditions secondary to a service-connected left knee condition is also denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disability was granted. The claims for service connection of neck injury residuals, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hip disability, and acid reflux were all granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating allowed. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted and grants the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip, right knee, and low back disabilities with radiculopathy due to potential issues with obtaining private treatment records and considering relevant STRs.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and right foot disabilities are remanded for further development. The Veteran's heart disorder, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to errors in the November 2017 decision, including inadequate consideration of evidence and failure to explain elements required to establish service connection. The Veteran's claims for depression, unspecified hip disability, and right knee disability are now pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for anxiety and mood disorder, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the right hip condition and back strain.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has identified several issues for remand, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling examinations for tinnitus and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia, but remanded the service connection claim for a left hip disability as new evidence was added to the record.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip condition and a bilateral knee condition, finding no current disability in either case. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot condition. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, right hip condition, right knee disorder, radiculopathy to the right lower extremity, and psychiatric disorder. Additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder was granted, and the right ankle condition and hip condition claims were denied due to insufficient evidence. The uterine fibroids and endometriosis claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hip condition, chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, bladder dysfunction, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, bowel dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, rotoscoliosis and intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, cervical degenerative disc disease is denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted to 50 percent.