The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees were denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed that the Veteran had flexion limited to more than 30 degrees in both knees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 5260 and 5261.
- Claimed conditions
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19184348
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,429 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19184348.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and patellofemoral pain syndrome, was incurred during his active service. The Board found that the evidence supported this conclusion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for clarification of the extent and type of instability, as well as whether he requires prescription aids with ambulation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no evidence of flexion or extension limitations warranting an increased rating.
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