Hip decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has found that service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied. The Veteran's left hip condition, impairment of the knee (left knee condition), and heart condition are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA medical opinion to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected low back disability, and if so, whether it was aggravated by that condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is now rated at 30 percent effective May 21, 2021.,Prior to this date, the disability was rated as moderate (20%)

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, hypothyroidism, back disability, right arm disorder, left arm disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established service connection for these conditions based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for a spine disability, right hip and left hip, as well as left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims for sinus headaches were also denied.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions on appeal.

A higher rating of 10 percent for limited left hip extension is granted.,A higher rating of 20 percent for limited left hip flexion and abduction is granted.,A higher rating of 20 percent for limited right hip extension, flexion, and abduction is granted.,A higher rating of 50 percent for migraines is granted.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for left and right hip disabilities as secondary to cervical spine spondylitis due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip, knee, ankle, and back disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand orders. The case must be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy, left hip and knee disabilities, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and prostate hypertrophy due to additional development being necessary. Specifically, the AOJ must obtain all outstanding medical records from University Medical Associates.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for mixed connective tissue disease and right hip disability due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not established, and there is no evidence of a current disability at any time relevant to the period under appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate VA examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle conditions, as well as right and left hip conditions due to further development being required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, left hip disability, right hip disability, left shoulder disability, and back disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, right arm, and left hip disabilities due to incomplete STRs and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development regarding service connection for hip disability and heart disability, as VA medical opinions did not address these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral ankle conditions are remanded.

The Board has partially vacated the July 2019 decision, remanding the claims for service connection for migraines, meningitis, and right hip disability. The claims are now pending for further review.