The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right patella and sacroiliitis, finding that the evidence did not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no additional limitation of motion due to lack of normal endurance, pain on use or during flare-ups; weakened movement, excess fatigability, or incoordination. The veteran's right knee had flexion to 130 degrees and extension to zero degrees with objective evidence of pain at 130 degrees of flexion.
- Claimed conditions
- chondromalacia of the right patella, sacroiliitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 14, 2004
- Citation
- 0401265
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 0401265.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including a back condition, sacroiliitis, and degenerative arthritis in various joints.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for her sacroiliitis, effective November 23, 2010, and service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve as secondary to her service-connected sacroiliitis.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot pes planus was dismissed because she already received service connection for this condition. The claims for fibromyalgia, left hip bursitis, and sacroiliitis were remanded for further evaluation.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for sacroiliitis, finding that the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, which is required for a higher rating.
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