The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for service-connected right knee tendonitis with cruciate ligament tear and chondromalacia patellae, and bilateral pes planus.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support an earlier effective date or a higher rating due to the lack of relevant communications prior to November 16, 2020, and the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee tendonitis with cruciate ligament tear and chondromalacia patellae (right knee disability), bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2025
- Citation
- A25044011
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted a separate rating of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis effective February 1, 2023.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by his military service.
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