Hip Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's wrist and finger disability is not service-connected, but granted a 30% rating for his thyroidectomy residuals. The hip disability issue remains pending.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining clinical/hospitalization records from Letterman General Hospital and any private medical care providers that have evaluated or treated him for his claimed disabilities. The appeal is remanded to allow for this additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's left hip disability did not result from VA medical treatment, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the appellant's left hip disability was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a right foot, low back, and bilateral hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a left wrist, left hip, right knee, or right ankle disability related to his service. The claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee and duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip disability originated during his military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including the provision of proper notice and assistance.

The Board is reopening the claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including a visual disability, and for a disability of the left ulnar nerve, including post-traumatic numbness of the 4th and 5th digits. Additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for Bowen's disease (gynecologic cancer), cervical spine disability, and right hip disability. The diagnoses are considered to be related to in-service trauma.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues regarding service connection for psychiatric disorder, left hip disability, and bilateral foot disability. The case is now remanded back to the RO for additional examinations and consideration.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The issues include TDIU, service connection for back, knee, and hip disabilities, increased ratings for bilateral hammertoe deformities, and a temporary total rating based on convalescence following surgery in April 2002.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability has been submitted. However, additional development is required prior to making a decision on this issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it did not begin during or as a result of his service-connected left ankle condition.

The veteran's disabilities, including coronary artery disease rated at 100%, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to having other disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.

The Board has determined that the RO did not comply with its remand instructions and is therefore remanding the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. C., x-ray reports from the Albany VAMC, and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hip disability.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the claim of additional right hip and left knee disabilities due to staphylococcus bacteremia during or as a result of VA hospitalization in September 1991. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, major depression, chronic fatigue with loss of stamina and sex drive, a skin disorder, left shoulder tendonitis, and left hip condition. The evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss remains unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg and hip condition, finding no current disability. The right wrist ganglion cyst was rated as noncompensable under the old rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including right hip and knee conditions.