The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are characterized by arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, but no instability or injury to the semilunar cartilage. The RO denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for both knees.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show instability or injury to the semilunar cartilage, which would warrant separate ratings under DCs 5257 and 5258/5259. Limitation of motion is considered separately from instability in knee disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome, Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2017
- Citation
- 1713798
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 1713798.
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 knee disability, including a meniscal tear and patellofemoral pain syndrome, was incurred during his active service. The Board found that the evidence supported this conclusion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in previous examinations, requiring additional information on right shoulder ROM measurements without medication effects.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for clarification of the extent and type of instability, as well as whether he requires prescription aids with ambulation.
- Granted
The Veteran's disability ratings for low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been reduced from 40% and 10%, respectively, to 20% and 0%. The reduction was based on improvements shown in recent 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.