The Board denied increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of the right and left knees, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence of subluxation or lateral instability in either knee, and both joints had full range of motion with only mild pain during movement. The Veteran’s functional loss was attributed to painful motion rather than structural abnormalities.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia patella of the right knee, Chondromalacia patella of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19142843
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, as well as the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the lower extremities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extra-schedular basis, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee condition is rated at 20 percent, effective November 13, 2019. A separate 10 percent rating for left-knee instability is granted since February 7, 2007.,A 10 percent rating for right-knee chondromalacia patella is granted as of March 22, 2010.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle, low back, and knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected pes planus disability. As a result, these claims for service connection have been granted.
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