Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic personality disorder and right knee disability were granted. However, the cause of death due to cardiomyopathy is not considered related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dematomycosis (fungal skin condition) is service-connected, and his degenerative joint disease of the feet, ankles, knees, and shoulders are not service-connected. The decision also notes that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was remanded but no substantive appeal was filed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left knee disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board denied the claims for increased ratings for his left knee and ankle disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board has restored service connection for gout of the right knee and left knee, as well as granted service connection for gout affecting both feet.,The reduction in disability ratings for gout and patellofemoral syndrome was also restored.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and low back disorders are secondary to her service-connected left knee disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for blurred vision, shortness of breath, skin disorder, and left knee degenerative joint disease. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected navicular fracture, right foot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, paranoid schizophrenia, and bilateral knee disability. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish that the disabilities were incurred in service.,There was no evidence of compensably disabling psychiatric conditions within one year following discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 60 percent since March 29, 2011. The Board found that the residuals of his total arthroplasty prior to this date warranted a maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee injury during service did not result in a chronic disability, and his current degenerative joint disease was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent each. The claim for a higher rating for limitation of extension of the left knee has also been granted.

The Board found that the October 1984 and October 1992 rating decisions were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus denied the Veteran's claims of CUE in these decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA and are not caused by a pre-existing condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not begin in or is aggravated by service, and was not caused by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability were denied as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee and low back disabilities were previously denied in February 2003. New evidence submitted since then is not considered material as it does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain his complete service treatment records, verify any service in the Republic of Vietnam, and schedule appropriate VA examinations.