Hip decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, left hip disability, cervical spine disability, and chronic urinary tract infections are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current hearing loss disability. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities as well as a respiratory condition (asthma). The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from prior to September 2003. A new VA examination is also required to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of her claimed respiratory condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The other issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional evidentiary development due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's current conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left hip disability (claimed as arthritis), and left knee disability (claimed as arthritis) are not supported by sufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee and hip disabilities due to inadequate examinations, and requests an addendum opinion without the need for the Veteran's presence. The claims are also remanded for a retrospective medical opinion regarding TDIU prior to June 16, 2015.

For the period prior to January 27, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,From January 27, 2015, the Veteran has a combined disability rating of 100 percent due to his service-connected conditions. The issue of TDIU is moot as he already meets the criteria for a 100% schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The claims include low back, left shoulder, left hip, left knee, right hip, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a curvature disability of the thoracolumbar spine and a left hip condition, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active service. The decision also grants service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip disability and right leg disability due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated without presumptive exposure, and a new opinion is needed on whether they are related to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's right eye detached retina is granted a 20% rating, effective August 21, 2015. The claim for service connection of the left hip disability and COPD has been reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lower back disability, right hip disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bronchitis due to outstanding evidentiary development.

Service connection for hypertension is granted. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, left hip, and left ankle disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder rating is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hip disability, bilateral foot disability, and hypertension due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as several secondary service connection claims for various joint conditions. The Board has determined that additional development is needed in all these matters.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, left knee, right knee, right ankle, and left hip disabilities due to issues with the qualifications of the medical examiner and insufficient evidence regarding the current status of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining examinations and medical opinions as requested.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and back conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's headaches, sleep apnea, and hip condition. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, a back condition, and bilateral hip conditions. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen claims for service connection of right hip, left hip, headaches, and psychiatric conditions. However, the claim for a mental disorder is reopened. The effective date for an increased rating of 30 percent for TMJ disorder and bruxism is denied as it does not meet the criteria for earlier effective date.