The Board has granted a 20% disability rating for the veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative changes in the right knee. The current medical findings do not warrant a higher evaluation under any applicable rating codes.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the veteran's right knee condition is manifested by some swelling, pain on flexion, effusion, and crepitus, but does not meet the criteria for more severe impairment or functional loss due to pain as required for a higher disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- patellofemoral syndrome, degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 13, 2003
- Citation
- 0304636
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 0304636.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right, left knee conditions and back pain as the evidence did not support that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by active duty service or a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claim for service connection for a left knee condition (to include patellofemoral syndrome and DJD) is remanded for readjudication, as new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of low back and cervical spine disabilities, including osteoarthritis and IVDS, to include as secondary to hypothyroidism. The Board ordered a new or supplemental examination and opinion.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an effective date of December 21, 2011 for the grant of service connection for thoracic spondylosis with lumbar strain and degenerative changes is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
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