Hip Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the VA RO in Atlanta, Georgia. The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left hip disabilities are pending.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and hip disability, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or presumed exposure. The hip disability was granted as it met criteria for an undiagnosed illness under the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it is caused by his service-connected left knee disability. The appeal regarding tinnitus was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the issuance of a final decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right hip disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional examinations and remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding previous VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip and back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied claims for service connection.,The Veteran's hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess his left ankle disability. The examiner must also provide opinions on whether the service-connected left ankle disability at least as likely as not aggravated the right hip disability.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right hip condition, including for the residuals of an injury sustained while on active duty. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address whether his current right hip condition is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right hip, and shortened right leg disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and for further medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed DJD of the lumbosacral spine or left hip was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lower extremity shell fragment wound residuals.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU due to ongoing appeal on initial ratings for service-connected disabilities, including right hip and knee disabilities. The RO is instructed to issue a statement of the case addressing these issues before proceeding with further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including restless leg syndrome, acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), lower back disability, left hip disability, and sleep apnea, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome or establish a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left hip disability distinct from his service-connected neuralgia of the sciatic nerve affecting his left lower extremity. The only contentions in the record are the Veteran's own statements, which the Board finds insufficient to establish a separate diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent for plantar calluses effective February 20, 2015. Service connection for heart condition and diabetes mellitus are also granted as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left hip disability or right knee disability for which he can be granted service connection. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including back, hip, shoulder, knee, prostate cancer, colon cancer, kidney condition, bladder condition, hypertension, head injury from dizziness, headaches, and depression have been denied. The left hand scar is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities have been denied due to a lack of new and material evidence for the left hip disability claim, and because there is no medical nexus between the current hip disabilities and either active service or a service-connected condition. The right hip disability claim was not reopened as it was considered part of the initial appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the service connection of his left hip disability, including whether it is secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.