Hip Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The claim of increased rating for the residuals of a right hip replacement is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, which included pain and instability but no ankylosis or significant functional loss, did not warrant a higher rating. The issues of service connection for shoulder, right knee, and bilateral hip disabilities were also denied as there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability as secondary to his right ankle disability due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip arthritis and headache disability, but found the claim of service connection for left hip disability not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip disability warrants a 30 percent evaluation, and his lumbar spine disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, hip, and lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses and lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.