The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the right knee strain was not separate from patella chondromalacia, which is already service-connected. For the hip issues, the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to November 12, 2015, but since then has met criteria for a 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the right knee strain was related to an already service-connected condition (patella chondromalacia), and thus not separate. For the hip issues, prior to November 12, 2015, the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to pain alone without additional functional loss or objective findings. Since then, he met criteria for a 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Strain, Degenerative Disc Disease of Lumbar Spine, Limitation of Extension, Right Hip (status post-labral tear repair and debridement surgery)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1615425
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 1615425.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disability. The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left thigh strain with limitation of flexion is granted.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability evaluations and denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition. The Veteran was granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder.
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