The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided.
The deciding factor: The VA examination and treatment records showed that the Veteran's left knee flexion was limited to 45 degrees after repeated use and during flare-ups, which did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent under the diagnostic criteria for limitation of flexion or extension.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes, lateral femoral condyle, and Baker's cyst
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2024
- Citation
- A24071041
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and granted a TDIU from May 21, 2014 to January 4, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a VA examination that fully addresses the Veteran's functional loss during flare-ups, following repeated use over time, and/or any functional loss caused by the considerations set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.45 during the time period from 2005 to the present.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claim for a higher rating due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was granted, effective January 26, 2010. Other claims related to earlier effective dates and higher evaluations were denied or dismissed.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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