Hip decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip conditions as secondary to his service-connected knee and lumbar spine conditions, after finding that there is at least equipoise evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and hip disabilities due to incomplete service treatment records from his second period of active duty. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the skin condition on the feet is inadequate, and a new medical examination is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral hip disability and cervical spine disability have been granted in an August 2020 rating decision. These issues are therefore dismissed as moot.,Service connection has also been granted for bilateral glaucoma, but the claim remains pending due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's right hip disability is granted a 10% rating, and service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD had its onset during service or was otherwise related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral shin splints, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip disability, right shoulder disability, heart disorder (claimed as a heart murmur), and gastrointestinal disorder.,The Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in 2022 and 2023 was noted. The Board found that the Veteran failed without good cause to comply with the remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include back disability, left hip disability (secondary to knee), allergies, respiratory disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a low back disability are granted. The claims for service connection for left hip condition and right hip condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and left hip disability due to incomplete addendum opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current disabilities, which he contends are related to his military service or other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar spondylosis with a lumbar strain and IVDS, right hip disability, limitation of flexion, right hip DJD are being remanded due to the need for clarification on ranges of motion provided in the January 2022 VA examination reports.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence for determining whether the Veteran's right hip condition is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current right hip disability and denied service connection for it. The gastrointestinal issue is remanded, as are the hypertension and lumbar spine issues.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims for various skeletal system disorders, knee disabilities, thumb disability, hand disabilities, ankle disabilities, foot disability, hip disability, and shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip, left hip, and right knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The rating for mechanical back pain with degenerative disc disease remains remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right and left hip disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability ratings beyond 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, larynx disability, and scar of the lower abdomen has been reopened. The TDIU from September 18, 2017 to January 16, 2018 is granted.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for his depressive disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, and hypertension to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his acquired psychiatric disorders, back condition, and right hip condition to his military service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities. The claims for service connection are not granted as there is no persuasive evidence that any current residuals of spleen removal, hip, knee, or lumbar spine disabilities were incurred during active service.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain and has remanded the issues of service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, and requested a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and opinion, including those related to the Veteran's right hip disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, reflex dystrophy of the right lower extremity, and myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome with temporomandibular joint syndrome.