Hip decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches and hemorrhoids, finding no current disability due to active service. The claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability were not readjudicated as new evidence was not submitted after the final denial in July 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for a left hip disability is denied as the Veteran does not have a distinct current disability from his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. Service connection for a left knee disability, to include total left knee replacement residuals with degenerative arthritis, secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip disability and its relationship to service, particularly given his reported symptoms since service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, erectile dysfunction, and right hip disability due to new and material evidence. These claims are now remanded for further development.,The Board has also reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to his left ankle disability (service-connected low back disability). This claim is also remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various conditions and ratings, leading to the dismissal of all pending claims.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip condition and a bilateral foot condition, finding that the evidence did not support a secondary relationship to the Veteran's service-connected knee conditions.,Service connection was also denied for TDIU due to the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, bilateral cataracts, refractive error with presbyopia and blepharitis (sty, inflammation, vision loss), hypoglycemia, hypertension, bilateral hip disability, radiation colitis status post colon cancer surgery, sternum disability, post chemotherapy cognitive impairment, bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, high cholesterol, bilateral plantar fasciitis, temporomandibular joint disorders, skin cancer, bilateral wrist disability, chloracne, liver disability, broken nasal bone, a disability manifested by loss of balance, dizziness, and frequent falls, chronic unexplained disability manifested by muscle weakness, fatigue, heat exhaustion, cramps, and malnutrition or lack of nutrients, genitourinary disability (kidney disability), residuals of chicken pox, and measles virus.,The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for radiation colitis status post colon cancer surgery, stomach problems, constipation, diarrhea, incontinence, gas, and cramped bowel; and for genitourinary disability (kidney disability).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, headaches, and dizziness. The issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for a right wrist disability, left hip disability, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as depression).,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions. The preponderance of the evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for cervical spine, right hip, and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hypertension, high cholesterol, GERD, headaches, LLE peripheral neuropathy, and RLE peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no competent indication of a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the effective date for the current ratings remains April 26, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities. The decision also dismissed his claim for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for his right hip disability based on limitation of flexion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left and right hip disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate prior examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability, including femoral acetabular impingement syndrome (with labral tears), is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip and left hip, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to evaluate the Veteran's right hip disability and determine his employment status prior to January 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for tension headaches and an increased rating for a right hip condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot, left foot, vascular, hip, and knee disabilities as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder, all of which are found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected orthopedic injuries.