The Board granted ratings of 20 percent for right and left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis and instability based on limited flexion and extension, as well as a rating of 10 percent for right and left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis and instability based on patellar instability from August 4, 2023, to April 11, 2024. The claims for increased ratings for acne and scars of the posterior trunk were denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities showed flexion limited to 30 degrees and extension limited to 15 degrees during the relevant period, which met the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. Patellar instability was also diagnosed but did not require an assistive device or bracing.
- Claimed conditions
- Acne, Scars, Posterior Trunk, Right Knee Chondromalacia Patella with Degenerative Arthritis and Instability, Left Knee Chondromalacia Patella with Degenerative Arthritis and Instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25026019
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,188 · Granted: 23% (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 A25026019.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for acne, finding that his pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service.
- Granted
The Veteran was found to be precluded from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 29, 2024 due to her service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The reduction in rating for other specified anxiety disorder from 30 to 10 percent, effective May 1, 2025 was improper and restoration of the prior 30 percent rating is granted.,The reduction of acne rating from 10 percent to zero percent was improper and restoration of the 10 percent rating is denied.,The reduction in rating for lumbosacral strain from 40 percent to 10 percent was improper and restoration of the 40 percent rating is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for nonservice-connected pension and special monthly pension due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.
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