Direct trauma to the patella

Chondromalacia patella - Direct trauma to the patella Factor

The RMA has defined direct trauma to the patella as a blow to the kneecap causing immediate patellar pain that persists for at least 24 hours.  Direct trauma includes penetrating injuries as may occur with projectiles such as bullets and shrapnel, but does not include repetitive physical stress.

If the person suffered a direct trauma to the knee resulting in persisting pain it is very likely he or she would have sought some type of medical attention at that time, unless circumstances such as being in combat, or the unavailability of medical facilities prevented the seeking of treatment.  Such medical treatment would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  However, these records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained.  Therefore, if there is a reliable history of appropriate medical treatment at a particular time, this generally will be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.

Last reviewed for CCPS 16 June 2014.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [12923]

12928 the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body at some time.

12929  the veteran has established the causal connection between the trauma to the patella and VEA service for the condition under consideration.

12934   the veteran has established the causal connection between this trauma to the patella and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12938  the veteran has established the causal connection between this trauma to the patella and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

12939  the veteran has established the causal connection between the trauma to the patella and eligible service for the clinical onset of chondromalacia patellae.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

12935   the veteran has established the causal connection between the trauma to the patella and VEA service for the clinical worsening of chondromalacia patellae.

12940  the veteran has established the causal connection between the trauma to the patella and operational service for the clinical worsening of chondromalacia patellae.

or

12941  the veteran has established the causal connection between the trauma to the patella and eligible service for the clinical worsening of chondromalacia patellae.

Clinical onset and operational service [12938]

12968 on operational service, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body.

12970 on operational service, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12973 the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, on operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

or

12975 the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body was due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

31118 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical onset of the chondromalacia patella.

12976  the identified illness or injury that caused the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [12939]

12971 on eligible service, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body.

12972 on eligible service, in the course of eligible service duties, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body.

31119 on eligible service, in the course of eligible service duties, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the three months before the clinical onset of the chondromalacia patella.

12974 the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the three months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, on eligible service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

or

12975 the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body was due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

31120 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the three months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12977  the identified illness or injury that caused the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [12940]

12968 on operational service, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body.

12969 on operational service, in the course of operational service duties, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body.

12979 on operational service, in the course of operational service duties, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical worsening of the chondromalacia patella.

12982 the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration, on operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

or

12975 the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body was due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

31121 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

12976  the identified illness or injury that caused the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

12984 the clinical onset of the chondromalacia patella occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury that caused the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body is causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [12941]

12971 on eligible service, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body.

12972 on eligible service, in the course of eligible service duties, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body.

31122 on eligible service, in the course of eligible service duties, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the three months before the clinical worsening of the chondromalacia patella.

12983 the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the three months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration, on eligible service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

or

12975 the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body was due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

31123 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had a direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body within the three months before the clinical worsening of the chondromalacia patella.

12977  the identified illness or injury that caused the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.

12985 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury that caused the direct trauma to the patella of side and site of the body is causally related.