The Board granted separate 30 percent ratings for left knee instability and chondromalacia, DJD of both the right and left knees.
The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrated that the Veteran's left knee lateral instability was severe, while his right and left knee symptoms most closely approximated flexion limited to 15 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee instability, Chondromalacia degenerative joint disease (DJD) status post arthroscopic surgery for meniscus tear of the right knee, Chondromalacia, DJD of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 9, 2024
- Citation
- 24031607
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,017 · Granted: 36% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 24031607.
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 Board has granted effective dates of June 17, 2010 for service connection and separate ratings for right knee instability and left knee instability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly before it due to procedural errors and remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and bilateral knee conditions, have precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the period beginning April 5, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability and instability are rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period, with a separate rating of 10 percent for instability.
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.