The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia patellae, is not etiologically related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against the finding that his in-service activities caused or were otherwise related to his current condition.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence does not support a nexus between the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and his military service, including his claimed 'wear and tear' from carrying heavy weapons and mounting/dismounting large trucks during deployment.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral chondromalacia patellae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2015
- Citation
- 1505090
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1505090.
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: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence of a current disability or that her symptoms were related to her military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral total knee replacements and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU effective November 27, 2018.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and his service did not meet the threshold criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits. The cause of death (septic shock, third degree AV block, and upper gastrointestinal bleed) is not related to any service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diverticulitis with IBS, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has ordered remand to address the relationship between his PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
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