Hip Board decisions

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria. The Board finds that a separate compensable rating for right knee instability is not warranted, and no additional ratings are assigned.,Service connection for right hip disability has been denied as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing, right hip disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been denied as there is no competent evidence showing current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and limitation of motion is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent for arthritis and limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The claims of entitlement to service connection for back and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the reopened left knee disability claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, hip, and low back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause her to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by her limited mobility, inability to dress or bathe herself without assistance, and frequent need for adjustment of special prosthetic appliances. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran is also presumed to have incurred other conditions within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical examination to determine if any of the claimed disabilities are caused or aggravated by the service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and notification of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. His traumatic arthritis of the left knee remains at a 10% rating, but he is granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his right knee disability claim and denied all other issues on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and right hip conditions are not secondary to his service-connected right knee condition, and thus denied these claims. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain and right hip disability were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence of hemorrhoids or a bilateral hip disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a right hip disability prior to the Board's decision. The remaining claims of service connection for depression, rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee and back disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and bilateral hip disabilities due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, bilateral hand, bilateral knee, and genitourinary disabilities are caused by or related to his service-connected Reiter's Syndrome.

The Veteran's left hip disability was rated at 10 percent prior to June 25, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during this period.