The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for her service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of diagnostic codes based on loss of range of motion.
The deciding factor: Further examination is required to determine if arthritis is present, which would allow for separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5003 and 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- chondromalacia of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2001
- Citation
- 0118225
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0118225.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board's September 4, 2025 decision was vacated due to a failure to address clear and unmistakable error arguments, depriving the Veteran of due process.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and chondromalacia of the left knee to ensure compliance with prior remand directives.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chondromalacia of the left knee, GERD, and chondromalacia of the right knee due to failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee to correct an error related to notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.