Hip decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for a bilateral hip condition because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding whether it is related to military service or secondary to a service-connected tailbone fracture. The case will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, with depressive disorder and anxious distress, is granted a rating of 50 percent. Service connection for gout, right hip disability, left hip disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability are all granted.

The Veteran's fracture of the L3 transverse process is rated at 20 percent. Service connection for other conditions, including a separate lumbosacral spine disability and peripheral vascular disabilities, are denied. Other service-connected issues remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to revise a September 1984 rating decision that denied service connection for a right hip disability, finding no clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to irritation of the sciatic nerve, calcium deposit on the sciatic nerve causing right leg and hip pain, right hip disability, and lumbar spine disability are not properly before it due to a lack of competent medical evidence associating these conditions with his active duty military service or another service-connected disability.

The Veteran's headaches are not found to be caused by her service-connected PTSD.,Her PTSD alone does not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to evaluate the Veteran's migraine headaches, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left hip disability, and left leg pain claims due to a lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral hip condition due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for a right hip disability is denied, while service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, headaches, and tinnitus to obtain a VA medical opinion assessing whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, as well as TDIU. Additional opinions are needed to address whether these conditions are related to service-connected knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and unclear notification of examination schedules.

The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her left index finger disability and left hip disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for low back disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's testimony at hearing was not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip condition, an acquired psychiatric disability (likely PTSD), and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim to reopen his claims for bilateral hearing loss and lower back disability was remanded.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for a neck disability, GERD, left knee disability, and left hip disability. The claim for service connection for a headache disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left elbow, left hip, and right leg length disabilities. The claim for right elbow disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete record, requiring a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current bilateral hip disability is related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting opinions and need for additional medical examination.