Hip Board decisions

The Board found the preponderance of evidence against a finding that the Veteran's right shoulder, left hip, and right knee disabilities were incurred during active service or within one year after separation from service. The VA medical opinions obtained in April 2017 did not consider all relevant evidence of record, including private medical records indicating treatment for hip pain since 2001 and osteoarthritis of both knees secondary to old injuries in 2009.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service. The bilateral hip and knee disabilities are not directly related to service, but may have been aggravated by the service-connected pes planus.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current headache, bilateral hip, or right leg disability related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any such disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left hip disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 1, 2011. The right hip degenerative joint disease remains rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip disabilities are related to his service-connected knee disabilities, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea disability began during, or was otherwise caused by, his active duty service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left hip and right hip conditions, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to military service.

The Board found insufficient evidence of a current right hip disability to grant service connection, including as secondary to a service connected right ankle disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right hip disability and basal cell carcinoma, concluding that there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and attempting to obtain private medical records. The Veteran's hip disabilities will also be evaluated.

The Board is remanding the case due to missing VA examination reports and incomplete evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, related to his service-connected disabilities, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for a left hip disability and reopening a previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's right hip disability claim due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of flare-ups. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and arthritis of the spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected residuals of a right knee injury and a right ankle injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his request to withdraw the appeals for whether new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for residuals of hepatitis and entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right hip disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current disabilities or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The evidence does not show that his left shoulder disability warrants a higher rating.,For the period prior to May 7, 2007, the Veteran's left hip disability was rated as 30 percent disabling. From May 7, 2007 through November 14, 2007, it was rated at 30 percent due to fracture of surgical neck of the femur with false joint. After this period, his rating has been fluctuating but never exceeded 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is service-connected, and as such, his claim for secondary service connection for a right hip condition related to this disability is granted.

The Veteran's rectum condition and stomach condition were denied service connection as they did not have onset during active service or were not caused by active service. The right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee conditions were also denied service connection.