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
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 504 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, specifically addressing whether there was aggravation during service and if the lumbar spondylosis, lumbar radiculopathy, sacroiliitis, and failed back surgery syndrome had onset in service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current back disability and her military service, specifically the in-service acute back pain.
- Granted
The Veteran's disability rating for her service-connected lumbar spine disability is restored to 40 percent effective April 1, 2025. The remaining issues of increased ratings are remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including a back condition, sacroiliitis, and degenerative arthritis in various joints.
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