Citation Nr: 22044582
Decision Date: 08/05/22	Archive Date: 08/05/22

DOCKET NO. 17-61 410
DATE: August 5, 2022

REMANDED

A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion of the left hip is remanded.

A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of abduction/rotation of the left hip is remanded.

A compensable disability rating for limitation of extension of the left hip is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served honorably in the United States Air Force from February 1983 to December 1985 and from February 1989 to May 2007.

These matters come to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a rating decision an April 2016 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  This appeal is being adjudicated under legacy appellate framework.

The Veteran testified at a personal hearing before the Board in April 2022, and a transcript of the hearing is of record.

1. A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion of the left hip is remanded.

2. A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of abduction/rotation of the left hip is remanded.

3. A compensable disability rating for limitation of extension of the left hip is remanded.

At issue is whether the Veteran is entitled to increased disability ratings for a left hip disability.  The Veteran last underwent a VA examination evaluating the severity of his left hip disability in March 2016.  In April 2022, the Veteran testified before the Board that his left hip disability had increased in severity.  

Once VA undertakes the effort to provide the Veteran with a VA examination, it must provide the Veteran with an adequate one, and an adequate examination is sufficiently detailed in order to ensure that VA's evaluation of the Veteran's claim is fully formed.  Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007).  Therefore, this matter must be remanded for a new VA examination in order to discuss the current severity of the Veteran's left hip disability.

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The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

Provide the Veteran with a new VA examination in order to discuss the current severity of the Veteran's left hip disability. 

 

DAVID L. WIGHT

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	David R. Seaton, Counsel

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.