The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and foot disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on instability or limitation of motion, and there was no evidence of actual loss of use of the left foot.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher schedular ratings under applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of specific findings such as severe lateral instability, recurrent subluxation, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, or actual loss of use of a foot. The evidence supported the current 20% and 30% ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia Patella of the Right Knee, Chondromalacia Patella of the Left Knee, Left Hallux Valgus, Flexion Contracture involving the Great Toe's IP Joint and Degenerative Changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2018
- Citation
- 1806676
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1806676.
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 an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 25, 2014, finding that the Veteran was not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities until then.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70%, and she is also granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right thumb fracture with osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent since March 26, 2014. A rating in excess of 10 percent for his chondromalacia patella of the right knee is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability and right hand traumatic arthritis were granted a rating of 10 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.
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