The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia was rated at 10 percent prior to August 31, 2017. The Veteran is now receiving a 100 percent rating for his left knee since the date of surgery.,The Veteran's left ankle achilles tendonitis has been rated at 20 percent since April 15, 1999.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s left knee chondromalacia did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his range of motion was within normal limits and he did not have severe limitation of motion.,The Veteran's left ankle achilles tendonitis has been rated at 20 percent since April 15, 1999. The current 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5271 is appropriate.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Chondromalacia, Left Ankle Achilles Tendonitis, Residuals of Cold Injuries in Left Lower Extremity, Residuals of Cold Injuries in Right Lower Extremity, Major Depressive Disorder (secondary to left ankle achilles tendonitis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18134987
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 18134987.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee conditions have been denied. The current evaluations for the right knee under DC 5260 are 10 percent, while those for the left knee under DCs 5260 and 5261 are noncompensable.
- Denied
The Veteran's pes planus, left knee lateral meniscus tear, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia were all denied increased ratings. The Veteran was already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating for his left knee lateral meniscus tear.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, left ankle achilles tendonitis, and right knee disabilities but granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 21, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia status post plica surgery due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his left knee instability, and he should be afforded another VA examination to correct this pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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