The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are rated at the minimum 10 percent level due to pain, but do not meet criteria for higher ratings as there is no evidence of instability or other conditions that would warrant separate ratings.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners did not find any instability in the knees, and the Veteran's symptoms (pain) do not result in additional limitation of motion sufficient to warrant a higher rating under DCs 5260 and 5261 for limitation of flexion or extension. The arthritis is rated separately as per VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- patellofemoral pain syndrome, degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21006887
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 21006887.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including arthritis, is service connected as it had its onset during his active service and there is no clear and unmistakable error in previous decisions. The appeal for service connection is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis and thus not warranting a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an extension of a temporary total evaluation based on the need for convalescence due to his service-connected left great toe hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease has been dismissed because this issue was already decided by the Board in January 2026.
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