Hip Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a torn right knee lateral meniscus and granted it. The veteran is also awarded service connection for tinnitus, which was incurred during active service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and traumatic arthritis are not supported by the evidence of record. The claim for a bilateral foot condition is reopened, but service connection remains denied.

The RO denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability, on a direct incurrence basis only, and a low back disability, including as secondary to service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle.,The RO also denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, on a direct incurrence basis only.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a neck, right shoulder, right arm, right knee, or right hip disability that is related to service. The VA examiner found no evidence of arthritis in the relevant joints during and after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and reviewing the claims file.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the hips, and his service-connected degenerative disc disease is manifested by mild intervertebral disc syndrome with no incapacitating episodes. The GERD is manifested by regurgitation requiring daily medication. Therefore, the claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his right hip disability, finding that he does not meet the schedular requirements for such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as his combined rating of 80% meets the schedular requirements for consideration. The evidence supports his claim with conflicting opinions from a VA vocational rehabilitation counselor and a September 2005 VA examiner.

The Board found no current disability for anxiety disorder with insomnia, chronic left hip disability, or low back disability. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, numbness of the feet, and right hip disability as there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service that led to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left eye, left knee, and left hip disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

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

The veteran's right foot drop, low back disability, right hip disability, and left knee disability are not deemed to be the result of VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Board finds that these disabilities were not caused by VA medical treatment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including examinations and additional medical opinions to determine the etiology of his claimed back and hip disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an orthopedic examination and determine if the veteran's current back and hip disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosed hip disability and therefore, service connection for a right hip disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip disability is etiologically related to his service-connected right ankle disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a hip disability attributable to his active military service and no relationship has been established between his hip disability and his service-connected shrapnel wound residuals of the low back.

The veteran's lumbar disc disease is rated at 60 percent, the highest available rating under current regulations.,Service connection has been granted for cervical spine disability and depression as secondary to back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a videoconference hearing.