Hip Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle condition is not related to her service-connected right hip disability, or otherwise to active duty service.,The Veteran's sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) is proximately due to, or the result of, her service-connected right hip disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, back disability, right hip disability, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is rated at 50 percent since December 10, 2010. The Board has also granted service connection for his back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for right hip disability, low back disability, and arthritis of multiple joints due to lack of new and material evidence. The medical records submitted did not provide a nexus opinion indicating that the disabilities were incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was granted. He is now entitled to a combined rating of 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip and low back disabilities are not service-connected, as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The examiner opined that these conditions are less likely related to his service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service and denied his claim for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's umbilical hernia was not aggravated by service, and denied service connection for left hip disability and right hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, left ankle, and left hip disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is also awarded a 30 percent rating for his bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn with respect to his claims of service connection for renal cancer and a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet. The remaining issues are decided as follows.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the left leg other than his already service-connected radiculopathy and left knee disability. The claims for bilateral shoulder, hip, and left knee disabilities are also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as scheduling new VA examinations for his lumbar spine, right hip, and eczema disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current left hip disability that can be attributed to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a hematoma of the abdominal wound, atopic dermatitis, right hip disability, right ankle disability, spastic colon, tinea pedis, and hemorrhagic gastritis. The new evidence received since the last final denial is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeals were denied for various conditions and benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in previous decisions and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, an acquired psychiatric disability, and other conditions. The Veteran appealed these decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Veterans Court), which granted a joint motion vacating the May 2009 decision denying service connection for glaucoma and an acquired psychiatric disability and remanded those issues to the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip disabilities are service-connected, with the right knee disability being secondary to his service-connected left hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip and left shoulder disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is therefore being remanded for appropriate VA examinations.