Hip decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip disability (total left hip replacement) and right hip disability (degenerative arthritis of the right hip). The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of in-service injuries, which have resulted in current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition is reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed hip injuries and their relation to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left and right hip disabilities, which he asserts were incurred during basic training. The Board requests additional records and a medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, back disability, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, bilateral shoulder, knee, hip disabilities, and migraines due to insufficient evidence on whether these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 70 percent effective January 29, 2021. The initial compensable ratings for right and left hip disabilities based on limited flexion were granted from July 18, 2018 to December 20, 2020, with a rating in excess of 10 percent from December 21, 2020. The initial compensable rating for right and left hip disabilities based on limited abduction/adduction was granted from July 18, 2018 to February 4, 2021, with a compensable rating from February 5, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding service connection for right hip disability, left hip disability, and COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding her claimed bilateral hearing loss, vision disability, left knee condition, right knee condition, low back condition, left hip condition, and right hip condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding development of records and clarification of periods of active duty, inactive duty training (ACDUTRA), and National Guard service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, but remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability other than lumbar strain, left sciatica, and left and/or right hip disability.,Service connection is granted for lumbar strain due to in-service injury and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's back disability is not rated higher than 40 percent, and his left hip disability is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, foot, and knee conditions. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,There are no medical opinions linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hand disability due to his withdrawal. The remaining issues have been remanded, including back, neck, right shoulder, right knee, right ankle, and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee is rated at 20% for dislocation of semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain and effusion since February 17, 2009. A separate rating of 10% was granted for painful motion prior to October 13, 2016.,Service connection for a left hip condition secondary to the Veteran's left knee disability is remanded due to lack of evidence and need for medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip condition and a lack of recent VA treatment records. The Veteran will need to undergo an examination by a VA examiner who must provide opinions on whether his left hip condition is related to service, as well as whether it is aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left hip disability is related to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary due to non-compliance with the January 2022 remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and back disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for a left hip disability due to new and material evidence. However, the service connection remains remanded as there are insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and his left hip disability.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right wrist disability, right hand disability other than tremor, left elbow disability, and left hand disability are all granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left hip disability had its clinical onset during service or is due to an event or incident of his period of active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether her service-connected psychiatric disability may be a contributing factor. The Board also finds that evaluations for her ankle, hip, and back disabilities need to be remanded as well.