The veteran's right knee disability was rated as 10 percent disabling, and a separate 10 percent evaluation for right knee instability was granted. The left knee and both feet were not found to warrant compensable ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other criteria, but did indicate moderate instability in the right knee, justifying a separate rating under DC 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- chondromalacia, right knee, chondromalacia, left knee, degenerative joint disease with pes planus, right foot, degenerative joint disease with pes planus, left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0903285
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,162 · Granted: 21% (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 0903285.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's knee conditions and secondary service connection requests due to his death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to her military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity and a rating greater than 10 percent for chondromalacia, left knee is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the left knee disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and increased evaluations for chondromalacia of the left and right knees are remanded.
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.