Hip decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the remand of the right hip, back, and right leg disability claims is necessary due to inadequate development. The Veteran's statements regarding ongoing symptoms since service are considered, as well as the significance of a prior x-ray finding from his treating physician.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, bilateral hip, right achilles tendon, and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to consider secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for back and right hip disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's reports of ongoing pain since service are not adequately addressed in the current VA examiner’s opinion.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's left hip disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 29, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of rating for right shoulder disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the remand directives have not been substantially complied with and requires another examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is related to his military service, caused by or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for several shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities due to incomplete records from in-patient treatment at Diego Garcia.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right hand pain, bilateral shoulder condition, and bilateral hip condition. An initial increased rating of 70 percent but no higher was granted for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with insomnia, and an initial increased rating of 50 percent but no higher was granted for tension headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and bilateral hip disability, as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip condition is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee condition was granted, and he is now receiving a 20% disability rating. The appeal regarding the hip condition is being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with other claims.

The Veteran's left hip disability is remanded due to the lack of a nexus opinion.,The Veteran's right upper extremity condition, claimed as neuropathy, is remanded due to insufficient development and consideration of all relevant evidence.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability (GERD and acid reflux) is remanded due to inadequate examination report addressing the onset and aggravation of symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left hip condition has been dismissed as the benefit sought (service connection) has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for onychomycosis was denied due to his condition affecting less than five percent of his body and requiring only topical antifungal therapy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's PTSD claim due to an inadequate VA examination. The other claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right hip disability are denied.

The Veteran's initial claim of a 30 percent rating for tinea pedis, cruris, corporis (skin disability) from May 5, 2011 to September 12, 2012 was granted. The appeal for a higher rating is denied. Service connection claims for lumbar spine and hip disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right hip disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis with limitation of motion. Both conditions are denied as the ratings do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.C.S. §1151 for left hip replacement due to the need for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for varicocele of the left hemiscrotum, service connection for low back disability, and service connection for left hip disability were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.