The Veteran's left big toe condition is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The ratings for left knee chondromalacia and right knee chondromalacia are remanded.
The deciding factor: The June 2022 examination report indicated the Veteran cannot stand or walk, has to use a stick, and that climbing stairs and bending down is not possible, despite indicating the conditions have progressed/worsened. The Board finds this inadequate and requires a new examination for an accurate assessment of the Veteran's knee conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left big toe condition, left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2024
- Citation
- A24069170
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,249 · Granted: 37% (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 A24069170.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and compensable ratings for left knee tendonitis and right knee chondromalacia have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in January 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the claims for hypertension, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia, finding that the Veteran's conditions are etiologically related to injuries sustained in service from parachute jumps.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee chondromalacia with instability, status post total knee replacement was denied. A separate rating of 10 percent for painful left knee scar was granted.
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