The veteran's initial ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left patellas were granted, but not increased. The RO also granted a 10 percent rating for his herniated disc of the lumbar spine effective March 20, 2001.
The deciding factor: The veteran had service connection established for these conditions, with initial non-compensable ratings that have now been upgraded to 10 percent under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- chondromalacia of the right patella, chondromalacia of the left patella, herniated disc of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 23, 2004
- Citation
- 0426391
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 0426391.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the case for further development to obtain a retrospective medical opinion addressing functional loss during flareups and with repeated use over time prior to June 2021, as the previous opinions did not provide sufficient information regarding the Veteran's functional loss.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and generalized anxiety disorder, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as well as total disability due to individual unemployability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for herniated disc of the lumbar spine, acute sinusitis with sinus headaches, and pingueculas of the bilateral eyes are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by severe pain and stiffness affecting motion, is granted a 30 percent rating prior to November 26, 2018.
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.