The Board found that the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patella of both knees does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on limitation of motion or other diagnostic codes. The medical evidence did not show any significant impairment, instability, subluxation, dislocation, or arthritis.
The deciding factor: The medical examinations showed normal range of motion and no objective findings supporting additional disability due to instability, subluxation, or arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia patella
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- March 5, 2004
- Citation
- 0405988
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,776 · Granted: 24% (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 0405988.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee patella tendon repairs, with painful motion, have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each. The instability in both knees has also been rated at 10 percent.
- Granted
The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for his right knee disability from 40% to 10% effective October 1, 2019 was proper based on improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current level of functional impairment did not warrant a higher rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability, extension limitation, flexion limitation, and joint pain with locking and effusion, has been granted a 30 percent rating since October 16, 2003 to June 23, 2009. The claim for higher ratings is denied.
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.