The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for left and right knee chondromalacia patella prior to February 25, 2025, denied ratings greater than 40 percent after that date, and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective January 1, 2022.
The deciding factor: The evidence established moderate instability in both knees resulting in falls prior to February 25, 2025, but did not demonstrate limitation of extension to 45 degrees after that date. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation effective January 1, 2022.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2025
- Citation
- 25007566
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and granted increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and right ankle disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension and left knee limitation of extension, but denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee chondromalacia patella.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 20, 2023, a rating in excess of 20 percent from May 20, 2023 to July 3, 2023, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter for the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for various knee and hip conditions, as well as granted a rating of 10 percent from June 16, 2022, for right knee instability.
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