The Board has granted increased ratings for bilateral Achilles tendonitis of the ankles to 20 percent and denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5271, as he demonstrated marked limitation of motion. The right knee arthritis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on flexion alone but was rated separately due to compensable extension limitation.
- Claimed conditions
- Achilles tendonitis, Patellofemoral syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19186307
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,451 · Granted: 22% (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 19186307.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited evidence of additional functional loss.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for Achilles tendonitis and degenerative arthritis of the right heel, stating that the condition does not result in marked limitation of motion.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent for bilateral Achilles tendonitis prior to April 12, 2024. Beginning on that date, the Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating is in relative equipoise with the evidence supporting such.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
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