Hip decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 16, 2017, for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the earlier effective date of January 16, 2017 is correct.,The claims for a back disability (including ankylosing spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in July 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and thus granting the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's current service-connected disabilities which are believed to be contributing factors to his current right hip condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip condition, right hip condition, and right knee condition, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right foot condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The jaw disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, and right hip disability were denied as not related to service. The vision disability issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his other conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hip disability and degenerative disc disease with lumbar disc herniation is partially granted. The issue of service connection for the bilateral hip disability remains pending as it was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file, requiring an examination and opinion from qualified medical personnel.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hip or right leg disability and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left hip disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for an additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee conditions are aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability due to the absence of current diagnosis, despite previous diagnoses and ongoing pain complaints. The Veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied as the failure to discuss an April 2000 VA orthopedic report did not manifestly change the outcome.

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and cervical spine disability are granted. The right hip and left foot disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, left hip, and neck conditions due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also not granted for a low back condition, left knee condition, or right shoulder condition as there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for left hip disability, bilateral leg disability, and total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, bilateral hip disability, and left knee disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral hip disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral hip condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, an increased rating for his low back disability prior to July 16, 2017, and earlier effective dates for bilateral lower radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete development of his medical records, including STRs and VA treatment records. The issues include right hip condition(s), sleep disorder, low back strain, left knee strain, and PTSD.