The Board found that the Veteran's left and right patella chondromalacia did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as their range of motion remained stable at 110 degrees flexion with no additional functional loss after repetitive testing.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed that the Veteran's knee flexion was limited to 110 degrees bilaterally without further limitation or instability after repetitive testing, and there was no evidence of ankylosis, dislocated semilunar cartilage, nonunion or malunion of the tibia and fibula.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia Patella
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2015
- Citation
- 1532613
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 1532613.
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's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Chondromalacia Patella was reopened on May 23, 2011. A VA mental disorders examination confirmed the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and assigned a 50 percent disability rating effective from May 23, 2011.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent due to limited flexion. The claim for increased rating remains pending and will be remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella is rated at 20 percent, effective September 18, 2023, for instability. The rating is granted based on the current evidence of moderate instability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for right knee instability since August 15, 2019. The issue of a higher rating for chondromalacia patella of the right knee is remanded due to incomplete records.
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.