The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia with gouty arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that this rating is not sufficient to reflect his symptoms due to pain and functional loss during flare-ups.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently showed flexion limited to 80 degrees or less, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) or 5261 (limitation of extension).
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee patellofemoral syndrome, Chondromalacia, Gouty arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21000282
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 21000282.
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically whether it is directly related to service. The Veteran was provided a VA examination but did not receive an opinion on this issue.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee bursitis with chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as there are no additional functional limitations or symptoms that warrant such an increase.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased disability ratings of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease with chondromalacia of both knees.,The criteria for a 20 percent disability rating, which requires flexion limited to 30 degrees, were not met prior to March 11, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.
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