The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability based on limitation of flexion and granted a separate 10 percent rating, but no higher, for instability of the right knee. The Board also granted a separate 20 percent rating for chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee with chronic pain and recurrent episodes of locking and effusion or swelling.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of flexion was not limited to 30 degrees or less, but her extension was limited to 10 degrees from July 31, 2023 to September 4, 2024. The chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome were found to be chronic with recurrent episodes of locking and effusion or swelling.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee disability (chondromalacia), right knee chondromalacia, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee with chronic pain and recurrent episodes of locking and effusion or swelling
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2025
- Citation
- 25005079
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeal for higher ratings of his left and right knee conditions, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these issues.
- Dismissed
The proposed reductions of the veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia ratings were dismissed as there was no final rating action taken, and the disabilities remained rated at 40 percent during the applicable period.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for sleep disorder is dismissed, and the Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and lower back strain are denied. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, finding no persuasive evidence that the criteria for increased evaluations were met prior to the respective claim or examination dates.
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