The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that his knee disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and x-rays showed no limitation of motion or instability sufficient to warrant a higher rating, and arthritis was not diagnosed in the knees.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2003
- Citation
- 0321546
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0321546.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the claims for bilateral shoulder strain, ankle tendonitis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome due to inadequate VA opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to August 8, 2024, and dependency benefits from June 1, 2025, to August 8, 2025, for the school-aged child are both denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis are granted a 20% rating, effective from the date of the decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis and thus, the first element of the service connection claim has not been satisfied. For the bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome claim, the case was remanded due to inadequate examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.