Hip decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, left hip disability, and left leg length discrepancy due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if there are any medical links between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, right hip, and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need VA examinations to address whether his current disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, obesity, and other factors.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities and denied the Veteran's claims for left hand/wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, cellulitis of the right upper extremity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck condition, left hip condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was not rated higher than 40 percent, and he did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to May 30, 2019.,From May 30, 2019 to June 9, 2019, and from August 28, 2019, the Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left hip condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to outstanding records not being obtained, and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his left hip disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial 20% rating for left ankle disability is granted. Service connection claims for chest, low back, and right hip disabilities are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, and jaw disability. The Veteran's symptoms were present during service and continue to this day.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the complexity of his conditions and the need to consider all relevant evidence, including statements from those who served with him.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including additional VA examinations and clarifying medical opinions. The Veteran's claims are related to his military service but the evidence is insufficient to establish a direct link between his conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities due to persistent or recurrent symptoms of disability that may be associated with service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence.,The Veteran is also being scheduled for various VA examinations related to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back, neck, right foot, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Veteran's service records indicate complaints of pain in these areas during service, but no current diagnoses have been established. A new examination is required for each condition.

The Veteran's claims to reopen are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also being remanded as it may be related to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded because more recent treatment records are needed, and a new examination is required due to the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's multilevel lumbar disc disease is being remanded for a new examination as it may have worsened since the last evaluation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded because an opinion on whether it is related to service-connected lumbar spine disability is needed.,The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are also being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded as a new examination is required, including an assessment of whether it is related to his in-service injury.,The Veteran's bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and lower extremity numbness are also being remanded for medical opinions on their relationship to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as more detailed information regarding the impact of his disabilities on his employment is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has also determined that additional examinations are needed for several issues, including left shoulder strain, right elbow bursitis, cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain and scoliosis, right extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, left extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, lipoma on the abdomen, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right hand disability, hearing loss, psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and jaw disability.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to warrant a compensable rating as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or greater.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of in-service onset and no evidence that it manifested within one year post-separation from service.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was found secondary to diabetes mellitus, which is not service-connected. The Veteran's back condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral foot condition were also denied as they are not service-connected.,Service connection for a right wrist condition was denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability was granted. However, the claims for lumbar spine disability were denied.