Hip decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hip disability as secondary to his service-connected foot disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the hip disabilities and the service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's left hip condition and back condition are granted service connection.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded. The Veteran's pelvic condition, if diagnosed, will also be remanded to determine its etiology.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its January 2022 remand orders and another remand of the issues is necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active duty or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and right hip disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including bilateral hearing loss, various musculoskeletal conditions, and GERD. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations or medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development and clarification of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral elbow, knee, hip, and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate development. The Veteran's low back condition is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and PTSD. The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these conditions, but further development is needed for some of the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to their potential secondary nature to his service-connected conditions. The AOJ will schedule these examinations and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board denied service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left leg and hip disabilities due to new evidence received since the July 2011 rating decision. The Veteran's current left leg and hip conditions are being examined by VA to determine their relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service. The remaining issues are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the low back issue.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal seeking to reopen the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted and remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability and right shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff tear require further examination to determine their current severity. Additionally, a TDIU claim is raised by the record but needs to be developed before it can be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability, left tibia surgical scar, and right hip area surgical scar do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the severity of the Veteran's post-operative bone tumor removal, left tibia with bone graft.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including stressor verification and VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to hearing loss, PTSD, and right hip disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition is dismissed as the grant of service connection encompasses the entire period on appeal.