Hip decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her spinal disorders, including chronic thoracolumbar pain, segmental and somatic dysfunction of the lumbar and thoracic region, ankylosing spondylitis of cervical spine, neuralgia of all three radicular groups, and stress fracture right inferior pubic ramus (right hip disability).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip and left ankle conditions due to inadequate notification regarding scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability is denied as there is no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury that created additional disability.,The Veteran's sleep apnea, headache conditions, sinus condition, erectile dysfunction, back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee conditions are all denied as the evidence does not show these conditions began during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip condition, bilateral knee condition, osteoarthritis and bilateral shoulder condition due to insufficient discussion of the McLendon criteria in previous decisions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for rhinorrhea (rhinitis) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right lower extremity sciatica is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for left hip disability (gluteal muscle strain) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for left leg pain (muscle cramping) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hip condition due to lack of current diagnosis. The Board also found the Veteran's bilateral foot condition was not related to his service, specifically parachute jumps. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the bilateral foot condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to reopening service connection claims for various foot and leg disabilities due to the Veteran's death. No new evidence was received, and the claims were denied on their merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records. A new VA examination with comprehensive opinions on service connection will be arranged.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted. The Board finds additional development necessary due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions to determine the etiology of his right hip, right leg, and skin rash conditions. The issues are related to service connection.

The Veteran's left hip condition is granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent effective May 6, 2013. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple orthopedic conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the requirements for a TDIU based on his combined disability ratings.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service and exposure to CARC.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's right ankle disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the April 2016 VA examiner to address whether it is due to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's neck disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's hip disability, including a secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's respiratory disability, including as due to exposure to CARC, is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the May 2016 VA examiner to address whether it is related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for TDIU prior to April 27, 2017.

The Board has remanded the issues regarding the Veteran's neck, right hip, and left hip disabilities for further development.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for her claimed neck disability, right hip disability, or left hip disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities, as well as left and right hip disabilities, all secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case is being sent back for further development regarding whether the Veteran's obesity (caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus) caused or contributed to his current knee and hip disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service. The Board also found that the left hip disability is not secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and bilateral hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active duty service.