The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including chondromalacia and instability, have been rated at the maximum available evaluations (40% for both knees combined), reflecting their severity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently evaluated as 40% disabling under Diagnostic Codes 5261 and 5257 due to limitation of motion and subluxation or lateral instability, respectively. These evaluations reflect the maximum available for these conditions based on the severity of his symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia, Instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 16, 2014
- Citation
- 1422369
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 1422369.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically whether it is directly related to service. The Veteran was provided a VA examination but did not receive an opinion on this issue.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left knee bursitis with chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as there are no additional functional limitations or symptoms that warrant such an increase.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased disability ratings of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease with chondromalacia of both knees.,The criteria for a 20 percent disability rating, which requires flexion limited to 30 degrees, were not met prior to March 11, 2020.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.
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.