Hip decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hip disability, finding that his current condition did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service. The Board also found no continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further consideration, including addressing whether the Veteran's right hip condition is related to his service-connected left toe and/or right toe deformity. The claim will be reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left hip condition has been reopened, and the Board finds that his left hip condition is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee condition. The reduction in the disability rating for left knee from 30% to 10% was not proper, and a 30% rating for left knee is restored effective February 1, 2018. A separate 10% rating for left knee instability is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, ADHD). The Board also remanded her claims for service connection for right leg pain and weakness, left leg pain and weakness, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right hip condition, sinusitis, and lower back condition.,The Veteran's current bilateral leg pain and weakness are related to her service-connected left hip strain. The Veteran's current bilateral ankle conditions may be related to her active military service. Her current acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, ADHD) is likely related to her in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right hip disability, including as proximately caused by service-connected knee and back disabilities, is being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial handling of his appeal under VA's Legacy system. The issues will be readjudicated once the proper procedural steps are taken.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for disability ratings and service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at 10% from June 19, 2020 to May 20, 2021. The rating for initial flexion and extension of the right hip remains denied. A separate rating for a psychiatric disorder is granted.

The appeal for the issue of shortening of bones of the lower extremity, to include as secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease is dismissed.,The claims for right hip and right knee conditions are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip condition, diagnosed as femoral acetabular impingement syndrome with labral tears, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee condition and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back, left hip, right hip, and left knee conditions. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions on direct and secondary bases. The Veteran's right hip disability is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of rationale in a previous VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left hip disability is aggravated by his service-connected conditions. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various ankle and hip conditions, as well as foot conditions. A Statement of the Case must be issued to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability was denied in March 2009, but reopened due to new evidence. The Board has determined that headaches originated during active service and are service-connected.,Service connection is granted for headaches. Service connection is not granted for left leg, left foot, or left elbow disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left foot, hip, and knee conditions as secondary to his already service-connected right hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and right great toe disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to active service or any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim will be returned for further development and an addendum VA opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for headaches with migrainous features was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a left hip disability, right hip disability, or disorder manifested by pain and itching in the ears related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (to include as secondary to PTSD) and grinding teeth (to include as secondary to PTSD) needs further examination. The examiner should determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by PTSD.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has GERD related to service, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee conditions due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide assistance in obtaining any relevant treatment records.