The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied. The RO found that the right rib fracture residuals did not warrant an increase in evaluation, as there was no evidence of deformity, angulation, malunion, nonunion, loose motion, or edema. For the left knee chondromalacia, the RO noted severe degenerative changes with no episodes of dislocation or recurrent subluxation; normal range of motion; and an additional 5 to 10 percent limitation of motion due to fatigue, pain, and weakness. The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and maintaining some type of substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The RO determined that the right rib fracture residuals did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as there was no evidence of deformity or other significant functional impairment. For the left knee chondromalacia, the limitation in motion due to fatigue, pain, and weakness did not warrant an increase in evaluation beyond 10 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Chondromalacia, Right Rib Fracture Residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2006
- Citation
- 0603945
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,643 · Granted: 15% (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 0603945.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee conditions have been denied. The current evaluations for the right knee under DC 5260 are 10 percent, while those for the left knee under DCs 5260 and 5261 are noncompensable.
- Denied
The Veteran's pes planus, left knee lateral meniscus tear, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia were all denied increased ratings. The Veteran was already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating for his left knee lateral meniscus tear.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia status post plica surgery due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his left knee instability, and he should be afforded another VA examination to correct this pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various orthopedic conditions, including right shoulder osteoarthritis with impingement syndrome, left knee and hip chondromalacia, left ankle tendonitis, major depressive disorder, bilateral stress fractures, and a residual fracture of the right middle finger have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for awards related to housebound status, Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) have also been granted.
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