The Veteran's knee and foot disabilities have been rated at the lowest possible level due to their mild nature, with no evidence of ankylosis or instability. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s bilateral knees and feet do not demonstrate symptoms that warrant a higher rating as they are limited in range of motion but do not show signs of ankylosis, recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, or significant functional impairment due to pain or flare-ups. The medical evidence does not support the need for any higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Patellofemoral syndrome left knee, Patellofemoral syndrome right knee, Bilateral pes planus, Seasonal allergic rhinitis, Diverticulosis, Internal hemorrhoids
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18141689
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 18141689.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus and remanded the claims for service connection for tingling and numbness in the bilateral lower extremities and entitlement to TDIU.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from May 25, 2016 to January 18, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for right foot hallux valgus from January 9, 2024, and denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for pes planus from July 27, 2023. A 20 percent rating was assigned prior to April 26, 2019, for the Veteran's right compartment syndrome with reflex sympathetic dystrophy, right foot drop, and right shin splint.
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