Hip decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for reopening claims of service connection for bilateral elbow and shoulder disabilities were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,New and material evidence was received for several conditions, including tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, residual burns of the right leg, and residuals of a right hand/finger disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for low back, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records from Randolph Air Force Base need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development due to inadequate opinions in a prior examination report. The Veteran contends his bilateral hip disability is related to an in-service injury, but there is no evidence of such an injury or disability during service. The examiner opined that it was not at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities were incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability but denied service connection for a left hip disability. The decision in favor of the left shoulder disability is based on resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, while the denial of the left hip disability is due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new and material evidence having been received. The specific issues of entitlement to service connection have not yet been addressed.

The Veteran's left and right shin splints have been granted service connection, with a 10% evaluation.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. However, the increased evaluations for both shin splints and the knee disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left hip disability and low back disability due to the inadequacy of previous medical opinions. The case will be remanded for further review.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at a 40 percent rating (but not higher) and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension from January 14, 2015. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for right foot and left foot disabilities as well as the issue regarding a compensable rating for bladder dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back and hip conditions are related to his service-connected shin splints or an in-service injury. The VA must obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and further development is required. The issues include cysts on both kidneys, left hip condition (including radiculopathy), nasal condition (including obstructive sleep apnea), and heart condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right hip and left knee disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection for bilateral knees, left ankle, and hips due to concerns about the qualifications of the VA examiner who conducted the examinations. The Veteran's representative requested additional information regarding the qualifications of the June 2021 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty training and inactive duty training. The RO is instructed to obtain any additional medical records, verify the Veteran's ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service, and consider whether to seek addendum VA opinions or new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as his hip disabilities, have been granted. The hip disability claims are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen her claim for service connection for a right hip disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding whether the current bilateral hip disabilities are related to service, including as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability, including Legg-Calve Perthes disease, likely began during service and is not clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left hip and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for right knee disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right knee disability is being examined again to determine if it is aggravated by his service-connected left and right hip and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left hip, and right hip conditions due to a lack of available service treatment records. The Veteran testified about his symptoms and provided medical evidence supporting his claims.