Citation Nr: 21011625 Decision Date: 03/02/21 Archive Date: 03/02/21 DOCKET NO. 18-23 656 DATE: March 2, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for status post left quadriceps muscle tendon rupture is granted. Entitlement to service connection for a left eye disability, diagnosed as dry eye syndrome, is granted. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The Veteran’s status post left quadriceps muscle tendon rupture is etiologically related to service. 2. The Veteran’s left eye disability is etiologically related to service. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The criteria for entitlement to service connection for status post left quadriceps muscle tendon rupture have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304. 2. The criteria for entitlement to service connection for a left eye disability have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veteran served on active duty from October 1986 to July 1990 and from July 1992 to October 2013. He appeals an April 2015 rating decision denying entitlement to service connection for status post left quadriceps muscle tendon rupture and a corneal abrasion. Service Connection Under the relevant laws and regulations, service connection may be granted for a disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service. 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), 3.304, 3.307, 3.309, 3.310. Generally, the evidence must show: (1) the existence of a present disability; (2) in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and (3) a causal relationship between the present disability and the disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service. Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163, 1166-67 (Fed. Cir. 2004); Caluza v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 498, 505 (1995). 1. Entitlement to service connection for status post left quadriceps muscle tendon rupture. The Veteran contends that he has a left quadriceps injury that is attributable to service. After review of the evidence, the Board finds that service connection is warranted. Review of the Veteran’s service treatment records reveals a left quadriceps tear in September 1997 due to a bicycle accident. He initially assumed the condition had resolved. However, several months later he still suffered from pain when running. At his April 2015 VA examination, the examiner opined that no current diagnoses of a left quad injury could be rendered as the Veteran had no current complaints and the condition appeared to have completely resolved. Such a finding is not in accord with the Veteran’s statements. Specifically, the Veteran argues that his mobility is hindered as he still has difficulty running and must perform stretching exercises. Hence, even though a current diagnosis has not been rendered, the Board finds that the Veteran has a current left quadriceps disability as his pain has reached the level of a functional impairment in earning capacity. See Saunders v. Wilkie, 886 F.3d 1356, 1361-62 (2018). As to nexus, the Board observes that the Veteran is competent to report observable symptoms, such as chronic pain, and his statements are credible in that regard. See Jandreau v. Nicholson, 492 F.3d 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2007); Layno v. Brown, 6 Vat. App. 465 (1994). In addition, a medical note from March 2015 does indicate a history of left leg pain. Based on the foregoing, the Board finds that a nexus has been established between the Veteran’s in-service left quadriceps injury and his current left quadriceps disability. In summation, resolving all doubt in the Veteran’s favor, the Board finds that the Veteran has a current left quadriceps injury that is attributable to service. See Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49, 57 (1990). Accordingly, the claim is granted. 2. Entitlement to service connection for a left eye disability. The Veteran contends that he has a left eye injury that is attributable to service. Specifically, he reports chronic dry eyes since service after being hit in the face with a rifle. After review of the evidence, the Board finds that service connection is warranted. Review of the Veteran’s service treatment records reveal treatment for an eye injury during training in December 1997. Specifically, the Veteran was jabbed directly in the left eye by the muzzle of a firearm. He was treated for pain, redness, and swelling, and prescribed eye drops. He was diagnosed with dry eye syndrome in March 2015. At his March 2015 VA examination, the examiner opined that the Veteran no longer suffered from a corneal abrasion as that condition had resolved. However, the examiner did diagnose the Veteran with dry eye syndrome. The Veteran reported that his symptoms, to include dry eyes, glare with headlights, epiphora, itching, photophobia, and trouble reading small print in low light conditions, began when he was struck in the eye with the muzzle of an M-16 during training. The Board reiterates that the Veteran is competent to describe his ongoing symptoms, in-service duties, and his statements are credible. Jandreau v. Nicholson, 492 F.3d 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2007). Hence, a nexus between the Veteran’s dry eye syndrome and active service is established, as continuity of symptomatology has been shown. In summation, the Board finds the Veteran’s statements probative and credible to the effect that his dry eye syndrome began in service and continued thereafter. Accordingly, service connection for the condition is warranted. 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. B.T. KNOPE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Daniel Ballinger, Associate Counsel