Hip decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for residuals of irregular menstrual cycle, skin disability, and right hip condition due to insufficient examination opinions addressing current medical state and etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not related to his service-connected low back disability and/or bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The case for obstructive sleep apnea and right hip disability secondary to service-connected conditions remains pending, requiring further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left hip disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his hip and shoulder disabilities. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is alleged to have aggravated his current hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and lack of medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip disability, which may be related to service or secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's right hip disability is related directly to active service, including as due to a reported in-service injury when a tire fell on his right hip.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's neck, back, hip, and thigh disabilities, as well as his depressive disorder. The remand requests additional examinations and opinions to address functional impairment and historical severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports, and a new medical opinion is needed to address the appropriate standard for claims of service connection based on aggravation.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided are inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's disabilities were caused or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability, left hip disability, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for right hip, left hip, and bilateral flat foot disabilities as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for neuropathy in the left upper extremity is granted. Service connection for a bilateral hip disability and right knee disability is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot and hip disabilities, as well as his PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, skin rash, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), sleep apnea, fatigue, left hip pain, a right-hand fracture, and an asbestos-related issue. The claims are being remanded to obtain VA addendum opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and denied an increased rating for limitation of extension of the right knee. The Veteran's right hip disability was not found to be related to his service-connected myopathy, nor did it have its onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied as VA did not receive a valid claim prior to June 15, 2015.,Claims for service connection for various conditions were previously denied in final rating decisions dated October 2006 and March 2009. The Veteran's claims have been reopened but no new evidence was submitted within one year of these decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disabilities (claimed as neck condition) and bilateral hip disability, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, right hip, and bilateral shoulder disabilities as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded to determine if the Veteran has a current disability related to her in-service injuries.