Hip decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disability.,There is no direct evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service. The VA examiner found that the current back condition and bilateral hip disabilities are more likely due to natural aging processes rather than the service-connected ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions due to potential toxic exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee conditions and left hip disability did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 22, 2010. The Board denied his claim for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder, bilateral elbow, left hip, right knee, left groin, and neck disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran should be afforded Gulf War examinations and VA medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's timely filing of a Decision Review Request (DRR) opting into the Appeals Modernization Act, which allows for dismissal of appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and unclear onset of his claimed disabilities. He is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if he currently has diagnosed disabilities that are related to his in-service duties.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, and sleep apnea due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing or presumed destroyed service treatment records and inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's in-service incident is also being investigated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hand, hip, and knee disabilities due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's leg length discrepancy and additional disabilities (pelvic obliquity, low back pain, and right hip pain) are not service-connected.,VA left knee replacement surgery in April 2013 caused the development of a leg length discrepancy but did not cause pelvic obliquity, low back pain, or right hip pain.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee condition and service connection for hearing loss in both ears are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss is being remanded as he reported worsening symptoms and there was no right ear hearing loss diagnosed. A new examination is needed, considering his testimony of noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion addressing whether it is related to service or within one year post-service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations considering his lay statements and secondary theories of entitlement.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral hip disability is being remanded as there was no current diagnosis found in a previous examination. A new opinion is needed regarding whether it is related to his back condition or aggravated by other conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations considering his lay statements and secondary theories of entitlement as raised at his hearing.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee condition is being remanded as there was no current diagnosis found in a previous examination. A new opinion is needed regarding whether it is related to his back condition or aggravated by other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot and hip disabilities, which are claimed as secondary to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a back disability. The issues are related to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service, including during periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has denied service connection for various hip and leg disabilities, finding no medical evidence of a current condition related to military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his psychiatric, skin, neurological, digestive, and genitourinary disabilities. The orthopedic claims are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment. The Veteran is service-connected for several disabilities, but none are directly related to his request for benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of analysis in the VA examination report.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability and cervical spine disability, including strain and radiculopathy, are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The lower back, left hip, and right hip conditions are denied as not related to service.