Hip decisions — 2020

A 30 percent rating for left knee DJD status post fracture of the left fibula and tibia is granted, along with a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee. The issues regarding secondary service connection for hip, back, and right knee conditions are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, including osteoarthritis, due to exposure to extreme cold temperatures during service. The Veteran's private and VA medical opinions have been reviewed, but they are inadequate as they do not address the specific details of her case, such as her reported symptoms in service and thereafter.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various disabilities, including a low back disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability, all secondary to residuals of stress fracture of the right third metatarsal. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, hip, foot, knee, and shoulder disabilities as they are not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection was denied because there is no evidence of any diagnosed condition in service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support finding that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for low back disability, stomach disability, skin rash, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left hip, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities as they were not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for back injury, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to a need for additional development. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to address whether the Veteran's claimed disabilities preexisted service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for testicular cancer and bilateral lower extremity disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, bilateral lumbar neuropathy sciatic nerve condition as secondary to his back condition, right hip degenerative joint disease, and left hip degenerative joint disease. The decision is based on medical evidence that supports a finding of in-service injury and current disability related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for right hip disability, fibromyalgia, and mixed connective tissue disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if the Veteran’s fibromyalgia and mixed connective tissue disease are related to her active duty service or secondary to her service-connected left hip disability.

Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, residuals of left side epididymis and hypogonadism, and chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for seizures, right knee disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, left eye disability, otitis media, rosacea, and basal cell carcinoma on the face are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and entitlement to TDIU, finding that his current right hip disability is not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to a service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The Board also found that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the AOJ's efforts to obtain all relevant records and provide appropriate VA examinations were inadequate. The Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) need to be verified, as well as his service in the Army Reserves from August 1963 to February 1969. Further, the AOJ must obtain the complete SSA file to determine if any disability benefits were awarded based on the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's cervical spine, right hip, left hip and left knee disabilities for additional development. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left hip disability (limitation of abduction) from November 26, 2019.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various conditions, effective date determinations, and increased ratings. The Veteran's attorney raised concerns about the qualifications of some VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right trochanter bursitis and right knee disability are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the functional loss during flare-ups, repetitive use, and range of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left hip disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right tibia, right knee, low back, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements about abnormal gait and pain.

The Veteran's right hip condition is remanded due to a lack of an adequate VA examination, and the Board must provide one for further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for tinnitus, hip condition, and right ankle condition due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.