Hip Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, periodontal disease, right elbow disability, left hip disability, varicose veins in both lower extremities, toenail fungus, and cluster and tension headaches. The appeals are all dismissed as the evidence does not support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. However, the claims for service connection for left hip and low back disabilities are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO via videoconference. The case will be returned to the Board after this is done.

The veteran's histiocytosis X and right hip disability were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, including an inguinal hernia, right knee disability, low back disability, right hip disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board is remanding the case for further development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of the veteran's hip disabilities and lumbar spine condition, as well as potential aggravation by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected knee conditions, pancreas condition, diabetes mellitus, low back condition, kidney condition, prostate condition, neck condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, colon/intestine condition, and left hip condition. The veteran was also denied service connection for a bladder condition and a stomach disorder.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a left hip disability caused by VA surgery is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The VA examiner concluded there was no temporal relationship between the veteran's current hip disability and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left hip disability that is attributable to his active military service or caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim of service connection for a left hip disability.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and his low back disability and right hip condition are both service-connected. The Board has granted these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip disability is etiologically related to his service-connected prostate cancer and has been granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's left hip disability did not have its onset in service or preexist service and was not permanently worsened therein. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and hip conditions as secondary to his service-connected right knee and right hip disabilities were denied. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and either service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims were granted, with increased disability ratings assigned. Service connection was established for migraine headaches, lumbar spine disc disease, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The RO also denied his requests for higher ratings for his service-connected left hip and left knee disabilities, as well as adjustment disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, and other physical complaints are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of wounds to head, legs, and back. The right hip disability claim is pending as well.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Casa Grande Medical Center in Casa Grande, Arizona, on December 15, 2004, due to lack of evidence showing a VA facility was not feasibly available and because he had not been an active participant in the VA healthcare system during the preceding 24 months.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, right hip disability, and respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.