Hip decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right hip, and right knee conditions due to potential errors in obtaining VA medical opinions regarding her gait and direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance as he is capable of attending medical appointments outside his home, does not require nursing care, and has no significant impairments that necessitate regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. H.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of various musculoskeletal disabilities and fibromyalgia must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions provided in prior VA examinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it may significantly impact the outcome of these service connection issues.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record since the last decision and requires further consideration. The Veteran is being asked to waive initial AOJ review of this new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for headaches (knot on head) has been reopened. The claims for unspecified depressive disorder, back disability, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right hip disability, and left hip disability are denied. The claim for service connection for headaches remains pending with the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, as well as his claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity conditions due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.,Secondary service connection is also granted for the cervical spine disability and right hip disability to the low back disability, as well as for the left hip disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied service connection for OSA, Right Hip Disability, and Left Hip Disability as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for IBS, acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to new evidence received since the last rating decision. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of any claimed foot, hip, knee, or lower back conditions. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the pendency of the claim.,For the issue of increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, the Board will address it later within this decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for her hip and knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of her current conditions and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received. The claims for erectile dysfunction, prostate condition, hypertension, skeletal arthritis, bilateral foot condition, bilateral hip condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral lung condition are all remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for right hip and left hip disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and DMII were reopened due to new evidence. The right ankle disability appeal was dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted in full. Service connection for dyslipidemia was denied because it is not a qualifying disability for VA purposes. Other issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for left hip disability, including as secondary to pes planus. The Veteran's lay statements, medical literature, and in-service duties are to be considered.