Hip Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including higher staged initial ratings for cervical spine and thoracic discogenic disease, as well as claims of service connection for bilateral hip, ankle, knee, upper extremity, and lower extremity disabilities. The remand also includes a request for additional opinions on whether these conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his right hip and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in September 2014 and May 2019, which did not comply with the requirements of Correia v. McDonald (38 C.F.R. § 4.59) and Sharp v. Shulkin (29 Vet. App. 26).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU due to missing VA examinations. The claims will be further developed with new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, finding that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection and evaluation for various disabilities, including PTSD with panic attacks. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to address these claims.

The Board has decided to remand three separate claims for service connection due to the lack of medical records from a U.S. Air Force hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany and the need to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, left knee medial meniscus tear, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, finding that there was no causal relationship between any current left hip condition and an in-service injury or illness. The preponderance of evidence did not support the Veteran's contention that his current hip problems were related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new medical evidence received during the appeal process. The Veteran's hip disabilities and hypertension are being evaluated again as there may be alternative theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The adjustment disorder claim was not granted, the right knee replacement rating remained at 30%, the back condition, migraines, and left hip condition claims were also denied, and a TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder was granted. The claims for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and for hip and low back disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied claims for obstructive sleep apnea and right hip disability. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder (flat feet and plantar fasciitis) claim remains pending as VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left hip disabilities, as well as his right and left knee disabilities are being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s neck, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various joint disabilities due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated, along with his in-service injury from a motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of neck and hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, and right hip disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of bilateral feet frostbite injuries. The claim for DDD of the lumbar spine is denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those involving right foot hallux valgus, left shoulder disability, GI condition, low back disability and radiculopathy, hip disabilities, erectile dysfunction, Achilles' tendon conditions, foot conditions, gout, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left hip disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence addressing whether these conditions are related to his in-service traumatic accident.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease was denied, and the Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260-5003.,A separate rating of 20 percent for right knee disability based on instability is granted from August 6, 2019.