The Veteran's left and right knee chondromalacia are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to December 6, 2016, the Veteran's hypertension was rated as noncompensable. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder) is currently rated at 30 percent prior to December 6, 2016, and 70 percent from that date.,PTSD alone was not rated higher than 70 percent since it does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for increased ratings under VA regulations, as they were either already at their maximum schedular ratings or did not demonstrate the required symptoms to warrant higher evaluations.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18142040
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 18142040.
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 granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma but denied it for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
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