Hip decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, right hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities. Additionally, the Board has also granted service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and Gulf War Illness (GWI) based on new evidence received since the last decision.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before any of the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining relevant treatment records and scheduling medical examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the other claims of service connection are remanded due to lack of evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left hip or right ankle disability, separate from his already service-connected disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right ear hearing loss, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, neck disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The reasons include inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development.

The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The left hip disability issue is being remanded as there are allegations of worsening since a previous examination.,Your right hip disability rating is being remanded because you have alleged significant worsening and underwent surgery since your last examination.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as it is etiologically related to his service-connected left knee disability.,New and material evidence has been submitted for the right leg shin splints, bipolar disorder, and bilateral hip disability claims.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional action due to the possibility that relevant SSA records have not been obtained.

The Board has withdrawn the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left great toe hallux valgus. The claim of service connection for a left knee disability is reopened and remanded due to new evidence suggesting it may be related to the Veteran's right hip disability. Other issues are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The opinions are needed to determine if OSA is caused or aggravated by asthma, and whether obesity/weight gain is a substantial factor in causing OSA. Additionally, the examiner must consider all lay evidence, including the Veteran's statements.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip disability and its relationship to service-connected conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left hip disability, which may be related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with sacroiliac injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hip disability as there is no current evidence of such condition.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the April 2023 remand directives and has ordered a new VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's left hip disability was aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left foot disability, bilateral pes planus, prostate cancer, and left hip disability due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection. The RO must obtain adequate medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD with obesity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional verification of his identity and periods of active service is needed before the issues can be addressed on their merits.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues related to his bilateral hip disability, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. The effective date of a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability is set at May 3, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is secondary to his service-connected left quadriceps strain. The AOJ must obtain updated private treatment records and seek SSA records, as well as provide a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to outstanding medical records, including those from private providers. The VA is also requested to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left hip disability, and right forearm injury due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service or otherwise etiologically linked to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.