The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral knee disability, which included chondromalacia patella, existed prior to service and was not permanently aggravated during service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.
The deciding factor: The pre-existing bilateral knee disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service entrance and did not show any permanent increase in severity during service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral chondromalacia patella
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2011
- Citation
- 1126858
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1126858.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective February 16, 2018, due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for residuals of bilateral chondromalacia patella and bilateral degenerative arthritis and lateral collateral ligament sprain of the ankles, finding that these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and anxiety/depression. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active duty service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's bilateral chondromalacia patella was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 17, 2014.,The Veteran's left knee postoperative chondromalacia patella was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent from November 17, 2014 onward.,The Veteran's right knee postoperative chondromalacia patella was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent from November 17, 2014 onward.
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