The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia have been granted at 10 percent. Separate 10 percent ratings have also been granted for left and right knee instability. Service connection has been remanded for several conditions, including shoulder disorders, ankle disorder, foot onychomycosis, TBI residuals, and PTSD.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated based on limitation of motion, with no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions like meniscal tears. Instability has been found to be slight in both knees under the pre-amendment version of Diagnostic Code 5257. Service connection for several conditions has been remanded.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Chondromalacia, Right Knee Chondromalacia, Left Shoulder Disorder, Right Shoulder Disorder, Left Ankle Disorder, Chronic Bilateral Foot Onychomycosis, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Residuals, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 15, 2023
- Citation
- 23009549
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 23009549.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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