Hip decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and bilateral hip disabilities due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The appeal must be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right leg sciatica, left leg sciatica, hip disabilities, ankle and foot disabilities, respiratory issues, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip condition, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hip condition is aggravated by his service-connected lower back condition.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve was also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right upper extremity disability, initial compensable rating for a right hip disability based on limitation of flexion, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain. The claim for an initial rating of 20 percent for a low back disability prior to August 29, 2017, was granted; however, the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability from August 29, 2017, was denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hip condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition. The lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened, and he is now granted service connection.,His hypertension and kidney condition are denied as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right hip disability was granted a 10% rating prior to April 16, 2019 and a 30% rating effective from that date. The Veteran's right knee disability received a 30% rating effective from April 16, 2019.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 30% rating effective from April 16, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the bilateral hip disability. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his bilateral hip disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected low back disability, and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus, ankle disabilities, or other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional action, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for a bilateral hip condition. A new examination is required to assess the severity of these conditions and their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left hip, back, neck and headache conditions have been dismissed. The appeals for service connection for right foot and right toe disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, hip disabilities, immune system and digestive tract disabilities, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities. Additional evidence is needed, as well as clarification on the nature and etiology of some conditions.

The Veteran’s claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.,The Veteran has multiple conditions related to her active duty service, including right hip disability, dry eye syndrome, Bell's palsy, left and right foot/heel disabilities (including Achilles tendinopathy), which may be related to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hip disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right thumb disability, left ankle disability, or bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis) related to his service-connected knee disabilities. The claims are being REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar spine strain, hip disability, knee disability, and depression. The claims for service connection are also referred to the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service and no causal relationship to his service-connected knee or back disabilities. The decision also noted that the Veteran had not provided an alternative medical opinion supporting his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hip disability, as well as his claim for a higher rating for left knee DJD with chondromalacia. The reduction of the left knee rating from 20% to 10% was found to be improper.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as arthritis, is granted service connection. Service connections for bilateral hip disability, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking the left hip condition to either an in-service injury or disease.