Hip Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to obtain service medical records and other relevant documents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for her right knee, right ankle, and right hip disabilities. The claim for post-traumatic headaches was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for wedging of the lumbosacral spine at L2, residuals of a sacroiliac injury, migraine headaches, residuals of left shoulder injury, residuals of left knee injury, and left hip disability. The claims were denied on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's right hip and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of lumbar spine arthritis and service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine arthritis.

The Board found no evidence of a current left hip or left knee disability and denied service connection for these conditions, finding the claims not supported by medical evidence.

The veteran's service-connected above-the-knee amputation has led to secondary shoulder, knee, and hip disabilities. However, there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right hip disability, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not show that the condition warranted a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's radiculopathy affecting the right lower extremity warrants a rating of 20 percent, and service connection for his right hip disability is denied as not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disability and right foot plantar fasciitis, both secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The VA determined that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for lack of timely notice of disagreement regarding service connection for left hip and back disabilities. The veteran's bilateral hip and low back conditions are not considered to be aggravated by a 1986 incident during Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The original claim for bilateral hip disability was denied, but no effective date is assigned as it relates to reopening of claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip and left shoulder conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a causal relationship. The respiratory condition, left ulnar nerve palsy, and enlarged prostate have been found to be related to herbicide exposure during service. However, additional disability in the left shoulder is attributed to an assault by another patient while hospitalized at VA facilities, and right hip disability is attributed to that same incident.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current disability of the left shoulder, left hip, or right hip. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the right knee and leg, left knee and leg, left arm, or bilateral hip that is related to military service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and low back disabilities, both claimed as secondary to service-connected varicose veins of the left lower extremity. The case is now pending with the RO for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hallux valgus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his period of active service or to his service-connected condition.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability decisions. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus pre-existed his entrance into both periods of active duty military service and did not increase in severity during either period. The claims for secondary service connection for back, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle conditions were denied as there was no legal basis to establish such connections.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability ratings above the existing 30 percent for a right knee disability and 30 percent for a right hip disability.