The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than the current assigned ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed nearly normal range of motion in both joints with no significant functional loss or instability, which precluded higher ratings under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia, right knee, OS trigonum, left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 11, 2010
- Citation
- 1030040
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 1030040.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation before April 10, 2018. His TDIU claim is denied as there was no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions prior to that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for a more contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his conditions, as well as consideration of revised rating criteria effective February 7, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities have worsened since the last VA examinations, and new evidence is needed to determine appropriate disability ratings.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia disabilities warranted a 30 percent rating each, but no higher, since May 16, 2013.
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.