Hip Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The RO granted service connection for residuals of trauma to the right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine with an effective date of December 13, 1998.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's current right hip disability is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right hip condition, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for post-operative bilateral hip disability and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal of fourteen service connection issues due to his request for withdrawal. The only remaining issue is tinnitus, which was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the nature and cause of the veteran's hip and shoulder disabilities, including recent medical studies. The VA is instructed to obtain additional clinical evidence and coordinate examinations by specialists in neurology, rheumatology, psychiatry, and orthopedics.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for stomach disorder, right hip disability, sore joints (groin pain), erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, and inability to sleep are on appeal. The case is being referred back to the RO for additional development of records and possible VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his disabilities. The RO must then assign disability ratings based on the evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a violation of Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). The veteran is required to report for a VA examination and cooperate in the development of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, lower back, and neck disabilities as they are not shown to be related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling C&P examinations to address the veteran's hip, leg, eye, ear, and skin conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 1, 2004 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his left hip disability. The TDIU was granted effective August 1, 2004.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to military service.

The veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and left leg, side, and hip disability were denied. The claim for increased rating for DJD of the right knee was also denied.,The VA determined that there is no evidence showing that pre-existing asthma was aggravated during his period of military service.

The veteran's claims for hip disability, AV malformation status post left parietal craniotomy, sleep disorder, and alcoholism were all denied. The claim for back disability was not granted due to a final denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back and bilateral hip disabilities are not related to his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic renal failure, right hip disability, and right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the current medical evidence is incongruous and requires additional development, including a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed right hip disorder is related to service. The veteran's TDIU claim will also be remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and failure to provide proper notice.