Hip Board decisions

The Board has determined that the AOJ's efforts to obtain all relevant records and provide appropriate VA examinations were inadequate. The Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) need to be verified, as well as his service in the Army Reserves from August 1963 to February 1969. Further, the AOJ must obtain the complete SSA file to determine if any disability benefits were awarded based on the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's cervical spine, right hip, left hip and left knee disabilities for additional development. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left hip disability (limitation of abduction) from November 26, 2019.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various conditions, effective date determinations, and increased ratings. The Veteran's attorney raised concerns about the qualifications of some VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right trochanter bursitis and right knee disability are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the functional loss during flare-ups, repetitive use, and range of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left hip disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right tibia, right knee, low back, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements about abnormal gait and pain.

The Veteran's right hip condition is remanded due to a lack of an adequate VA examination, and the Board must provide one for further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for tinnitus, hip condition, and right ankle condition due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of hip or back disabilities in service, and the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service. The claims for right hip, left hip, and back disabilities are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an inadequate examination and a need for clarification of the location of the retained foreign body (RFB) in the Veteran's right buttocks. The case will be reviewed by a qualified clinician who must provide an opinion on whether the service-connected shrapnel fragment wound with RFB aggravates either the right hip disability or the pinched nerve.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left hip condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are rated as noncompensable or 10 percent disabling, respectively. A separate noncompensable rating was granted for bilateral leg chronic exertional compartment syndrome.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relation to service.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide adequate rationale for their opinion.,The Veteran's kidney disability, related to hepatitis C, is remanded due to an inaccurate factual premise in the previous opinion.,The Veteran's right hip disability is remanded because the VA examiner did not address whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,The effective date for a 10 percent evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination results.

The Board has remanded the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a lack of adequate supporting rationale in the February 2020 VA examiner's opinion and the need for an independent medical expert outside of VA.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hip disability and back disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection, specifically addressing whether these conditions are aggravated by her service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to VA for further examination and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and secondary service connection due to lack of a proper medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's low back disability in active service. The case will be reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection and rating for various knee, hip, and ankle disabilities due to procedural issues. The Veteran's left knee disability was reduced from 20% to 10%, but no SSOC was issued.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion from the VA clinician who conducted the June 2020 examination of the Veteran's right hip disabilities regarding the severity of his conditions as documented in the February 2016 and January 2018 VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not comply with prior remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional opinions from appropriate clinicians.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during active duty.,Service connection was also not granted for ichthyosis.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hip disabilities, finding that they are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.