The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection and granted it, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing left knee disability that was aggravated by active duty. The Veteran now has service connection for his degenerative changes in the left knee and chondromalacia of the left patella.
The deciding factor: The July 2011 VA orthopedist's opinion established aggravation beyond the natural progression of the pre-existing condition during service, meeting the clear and unmistakable evidence standard.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee degenerative changes, chondromalacia of the left patella
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2011
- Citation
- 1139614
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 1139614.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal regarding his eligibility for the Program for Comprehensive Assistance for Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to inadequate notice and compliance with regulatory requirements. The Board will adjudicate whether he meets criteria for personal care services, best interests of participation, and other pertinent criteria.
- Granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee degenerative changes, and left knee degenerative changes.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claim for left knee degenerative changes was granted as secondary to service-connected right ankle tendonitis. The claim for eye disability was remanded for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative changes and migraine headaches are being remanded due to inadequate examinations. The case must be returned to the AOJ for further evaluation.
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