Hip Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot condition, left hip condition (previously denied as hip and knee condition, now claimed as bilateral hip condition), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected residuals of fracture fifth left toe.,Service connection was also denied for radiculopathy of the left and right knees as secondary to a lower back injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a direct link to service or any other presumptive basis. The examiner concluded that the low back condition did not have its onset in service and is not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, hip, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, and he is now service-connected for lumbosacral strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left hip condition, and right hip condition. His increased rating claims were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, hip and knee disabilities, and eye disability (glaucoma) are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disability. The Veteran's service connection claim for a right hip disability is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of 30 percent or more for bilateral hip disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, left hip, right knee, carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities, and headache conditions due to inadequate examinations and failure to address certain aspects of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus or a diagnosis thereof.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), erectile dysfunction, left knee condition, right hip condition, and hypertension have all been remanded due to incomplete development in the schizoaffective disorder claim.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the remand instructions and thus the case must be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining issues of service connection. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, which includes parachute jumps and Ranger training. The low back disability, left foot disabilities (including callouses and bunions), right foot disabilities (including callouses and bunions), right hip disability, and left knee disability are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims related to his right ankle, hip, cervical spine, migraine, and knee disabilities. The VA examinations are deemed inadequate due to lack of proper range of motion testing and failure to address flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of pre-service conditions or clear and unmistakable aggravation during active service. The current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than May 11, 2015 for service connection and increased rating for other specified depressive disorder, as well as his claims for service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has found the January 2017 VA examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes and remanded several issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claims are now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded for further development regarding his right shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities due to potential Reserve service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hip disability is dismissed as the benefit was granted in a January 2020 rating decision.,Claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of 20 percent for back and bilateral lower extremity disabilities are denied. The Veteran did not have these conditions prior to February 10, 2015.,Service connection is denied for neck disability as there is no evidence it was incurred or caused by service-connected conditions.,Increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for back and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are remanded. The Veteran's current effective date is February 10, 2015.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea and asthma as there is no evidence they were incurred or caused by service-connected conditions.,Increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for right knee disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right hip disability, and right knee disability as secondary to a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's disabilities are not related to his lumbar spine disability or otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and right hip disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, hypertension, right foot and left foot disabilities, and hip disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.