The Veteran's service-connected left knee sprain and right knee chondromalacia patella are currently rated at 10 percent each, effective November 29, 2012. The Veteran seeks higher ratings for these conditions.,For the Veteran's service-connected left knee sprain, there is no evidence of flexion limited to less than 45 degrees or extension limited to more than 10 degrees, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261 respectively.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support the Veteran's claim for increased ratings as there is no objective evidence of flexion limitation less than 45 degrees or extension limitation more than 10 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Sprain, Right Knee Chondromalacia Patella
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18100615
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 18100615.
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 is granted an increased rating of 60 percent, effective November 3, 2020. The earlier effective date for the 60 percent rating and the grant of service connection for right knee scars are also granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for an unspecified anxiety disorder was denied, and the case is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella and 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease are also remanded due to a duty to assist error.,Additional VA medical records related to the Veteran's knees need to be obtained, and a retrospective addendum opinion is required.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee sprain with instability is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from December 17, 2007, to the present. From February 24, 2015, entitlement for left knee osteoarthritis is granted a separate 20 percent rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations of right and left knee sprain prior to September 14, 2015 due to an inadequate May 2013 VA examination report. The examiner did not provide a retrospective opinion on the functional limitation of the Veteran's knees during flare-ups.
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.