Citation Nr: 21073449 Decision Date: 12/08/21 Archive Date: 12/08/21 DOCKET NO. 18-41 226 DATE: December 8, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is granted. Entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability is granted. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. A preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease with chondrocalcinosis is related to his in-service knee injury. 2. A preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spur is related to his in-service sprain. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The criteria for service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease with chondrocalcinosis are met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303. 2. The criteria for service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spur are met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veteran had active duty service from February 1968 to February 1972. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2016 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran testified at a Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) in August 2020. A transcript of that hearing has been associated with the claims file. SERVICE CONNECTION Service connection may be granted for a disability resulting from an injury suffered or disease contracted in the line of duty or for aggravation of preexisting injury suffered or disease contracted in the line of duty. 38 U.S.C. § 1110; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. In addition, service connection may be granted for any disease diagnosed after discharge, when all of the evidence, including that pertinent to service, establishes that the disease was incurred in service. 38 C.F.R. § 3.303 (d). In order to prevail on the issue of entitlement to service connection, there must be (1) evidence of a current disability; (2) evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and (3) evidence of a nexus between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the present disease or injury. Hickson v. West, 12 Vet. App. at 247. 1. Entitlement to service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease with chondrocalcinosis is granted. The Veteran contends that his left knee disability is related to a documented left knee injury he sustained during service. See August 2020 hearing; transcript; August 2018 form 9. The Board concludes that the Veteran has a current disability that is related to his in-service left knee injury. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a). The Veteran has a current diagnosis of left knee degenerative joint disease with chondrocalcinosis. See January 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's service treatment record (STR) shows that he sought treatment in January 1970 for left knee pain and instability after a fall. The Veteran's treating VA physician provided a nexus statement dated October 2020, in which he opined that the Veteran's left knee disability is directly related to his in-service injury. See medical treatment record, received June 2021. Upon review of the record, the Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence indicates that the Veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease with chondrocalcinosis is related to his in-service injury. Accordingly, the Board finds that service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease with chondrocalcinosis is warranted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. 2. Entitlement to service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spur is granted. The Veteran contends that his left ankle disability is related to a documented in-service left ankle sprain. See August 2020 hearing; transcript; August 2018 form 9. The Board concludes that the Veteran has a current disability that is related to his in-service injury. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a). The Veteran has a current diagnosis of left ankle degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spur. See January 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's STR shows that he was diagnosed with, and sought treatment for, a left ankle sprain in June 1971. The Veteran's treating VA physician provided a nexus statement dated October 2020, in which he opined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is directly related to his in-service sprain. See medical treatment record, received June 2021. Upon review of the record, the Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence indicates that the Veteran's current left ankle degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spur is related to his in-service injury. Accordingly, the Board finds that service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spur is warranted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. Jennifer White Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Mookim, Hope P. The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.