Hip decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as an increased rating of 20 percent for lumbar strain. The claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, left hip condition (secondary to lumbosacral strain), right hip condition (secondary to lumbosacral strain), narcolepsy, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.,The Veteran's thoracic aorta enlargement claim is also being remanded as there may be relevant medical records from his general practitioner that have not been obtained.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from August 1, 2018 to September 9, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability as there is no current diagnosis of the condition at any time during or immediately preceding the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current hip disabilities are not related to his service-connected ankle or knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and consideration of lay contentions. The Veteran is scheduled for VA examinations to address his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors and grants this claim. Other claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left hip conditions, as well as a cervical spine condition (claimed as a trapezius muscle condition), finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service fall.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and erectile dysfunction secondary to DMII, are granted. However, the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and headache disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature, dates of initial onset, and etiologies of her claimed disabilities. The AOJ must provide appropriate VA examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's in-service exposures resulted in her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip, low back, and left lower extremity disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance moots his claim for housebound status.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for flatfoot and back condition due to new and material evidence. The claim for bilateral hip conditions is also remanded for further development.

The appeal is remanded for further development to address the Veteran's claims of increased rating for his back disability, service connection for various shoulder and hip conditions, sleep condition, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's left femur disability is remanded due to inadequate examination regarding knee and hip function, which could affect the rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The need for aid and attendance is also remanded due to the absence of an examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, left hip disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's right hip disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents due to service near the Korean DMZ. The appeal will be reconsidered after this examination.

The Veteran's appeals for chronic pain, left and right knee pain, and a breathing problem were dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection of his left hip disability (secondary to lumbar spine) and peripheral vestibular disorder (vertigo) are remanded.