The Board granted a 40 percent rating for right and left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis for the period on appeal prior to October 7, 2024, but denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for these conditions. The Board also granted a 20 percent rating for instability in both knees.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's knee disabilities were found to be manifested by extension limited between 30 and 44 degrees, which supports the 40 percent rating under DC 5261. However, there was no evidence of functional ankylosis or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis, left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 8, 2025
- Citation
- 25014601
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,217 · Granted: 46% (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 25014601.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right shoulder rotator cuff tendinosis and arthralgia, in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis, in excess of 10 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis, and in excess of 20 percent for chronic right ankle sprain to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis from December 12, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's representative's request for a copy of the January 2022 examination, and because the right knee condition may have worsened since the last examination in January 2022. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.
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