The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated based on their functional limitations, with the right and left knees each receiving a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5003 for arthritis. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is also rated at 10 percent prior to July 24, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and treatment records consistently document the Veteran's knee disabilities as chondromalacia and osteoarthritis with limited range of motion. The ratings are based on these conditions without any indication of service connection through a presumption or secondary theory.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia, Osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 25, 2015
- Citation
- 1549904
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 1549904.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which was granted for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
- 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.
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