The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia with retropatellar pain syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent each under DC 5260, which evaluates limitation of flexion. The VA examiner found no evidence of instability or extension issues.,Both knees have been rated as noncompensable under DC 5261 for limitation of extension.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's knee conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5260, which evaluates flexion. The examiner found no evidence of instability or extension issues.,Both knees are rated as noncompensable under DC 5261 for limitation of extension due to the absence of any functional loss from pain or other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2022
- Citation
- 22055564
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 22055564.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.