The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia are rated at 10 percent each, effective July 6, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran’s subjective complaints of pain, aching, stiffness, instability, and locking in his knees warranted a minimum compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. However, no higher ratings were granted as he did not meet the criteria for limitation of motion under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261. The Veteran's stomach disorder, right hand disorder, and headache disorder are remanded for further review.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s knee conditions resulted in pain and very slight limitation of motion with resulting functional impairment, warranting a minimum compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. No higher ratings were granted as he did not meet the criteria for limitation of motion under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (PCAS), primary insomnia
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18120810
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 18120810.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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