The Board granted service connection for left and right seronegative inflammatory arthritis, and assigned ratings of 20% to 30% for right knee instability, and 10% for left knee instability. The claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia were denied.
The deciding factor: The service connection was granted based on the evidence showing that the conditions began during or within one year of active service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran. For increased ratings, the Board considered the severity and frequency of symptoms, including pain, but found them not to warrant higher ratings under applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Left seronegative inflammatory arthritis, Right seronegative inflammatory arthritis, Right knee instability, Left knee instability, Right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, Left knee chondromalacia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 18, 2024
- Citation
- 24002749
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right knee instability and a 20 percent rating for painful and/or limited motion of the right knee, but denied a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- Partly granted
The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was remanded.
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