Hip decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include arthritis. The issues of secondary service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, each diagnosed to include arthritis, and right hip disability, to a service-connected bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that there is a need for further development due to the inadequacy of the retrospective medical opinion provided by the July 2022 examiner. The Veteran's claim must be remanded for obtaining an adequate retrospective medical opinion comparing the severity of his bilateral hip disabilities prior to April 10, 2012, with their severity thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, right hip, left hip, and respiratory conditions as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's gait change caused or aggravated her back and hip conditions. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right hip disability, heart disorder (Ischemic Heart Disease), prostate disorder, and skin condition (to include scars) due to new and material evidence received. The Veteran's representative withdrew other claims.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claims of cervical spine, right hip, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues remain remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and her service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a specific evaluation of her right tarsal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess nerve involvement and severity.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back, neck, and right hip disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issues of entitlement for the right hip condition, lumbar strain, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the issues of right and left elbow disabilities, ankle trauma, sleep apnea, eye trauma, and a left shoulder disability were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, left hip disability, right hip disability, left elbow disability, left hand disability, right hand disability, and right shoulder disability. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate development in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further development, including verification of military service in cold weather areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has remanded the claims for further evidentiary development due to the AOJ's failure to obtain private records from San Juan Capestrano Hospital. The SSOC was not provided to the Appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and brain tumor due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran will need further VA examination or opinion to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination. The issues include right inguinal hernia, left hip condition (osteoarthritis), right hip condition (osteoarthritis), and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee with patellar spur is denied a rating greater than 10 percent. The claims for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for left hip disability due to missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and requires additional development, including obtaining new medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip disability.