The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia, as well as his claims for a bilateral ankle disability, hypertension, low back disability, and hip disability were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for either knee condition or for any other claimed disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings and medical records did not support a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected knee conditions, and there was no new and material evidence submitted to reopen his low back disability claim.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2009
- Citation
- 0946138
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 0946138.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and compensable ratings for left knee tendonitis and right knee chondromalacia have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in January 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the claims for hypertension, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia, finding that the Veteran's conditions are etiologically related to injuries sustained in service from parachute jumps.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee chondromalacia with instability, status post total knee replacement was denied. A separate rating of 10 percent for painful left knee scar was granted.
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