The Board denied increased ratings for service-connected chondromalacia of the right and left patella, currently rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's knee disabilities did not result in limitation of flexion or extension sufficient to meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia, Meniscal tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21006273
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 21006273.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this disability.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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