Citation Nr: 21021807 Decision Date: 04/14/21 Archive Date: 04/14/21 DOCKET NO. 16-50 909 DATE: April 14, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative joint disease (DJD) is granted. Entitlement to service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and DJD is granted. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The Veteran’s left knee patellofemoral syndrome and DJD are etiologically related to service. 2. The Veteran’s right knee patellofemoral syndrome and DJD are etiologically related to service. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The criteria to establish service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and DJD have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5103, 5103A, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303. 2. The criteria to establish service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and DJD have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5103, 5103A, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veteran served on active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from April 1981 to July 1981, and on active duty from August 2000 to April 2001. The Veteran had additional service in the Army National Guard. The Veteran appeals a March 2015 rating decision by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ). A veteran is entitled to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) disability compensation if there is a disability resulting from personal injury suffered or disease contracted in the line of duty in active service, or for aggravation of a preexisting injury suffered or disease contracted in the line of duty in active service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131. Generally, to establish a right to compensation for a present disability, a veteran must show: (1) a present disability; (2) an 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, the so-called “nexus” requirement. Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163, 1167 (Fed. Cir. 2004). Service connection may be granted for any disease diagnosed after discharge, when all of the evidence, including that pertinent to service, establishes that a disease was incurred in service. 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(d). The term “active military, naval, or air service” includes: (1) active duty; (2) any period of ACDUTRA during which the individual concerned was disabled or died from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; and (3) any period of inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) during which the individual concerned was disabled or died from an injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty or from an acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac arrest, or a cerebrovascular accident occurring during such training. 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), (24); 38 C.F.R. § 3.6(a). ACDUTRA includes full-time duty with the Army National Guard of any State under sections 316, 502, 503, 504, or 505 of title 32, or the prior corresponding provisions of law. See 38 U.S.C. § 101(22)(C); 38 C.F.R. § 3.6(c). INACDUTRA includes service with the Army National Guard of any State (other than full-time duty) under section 316, 502, 503, 504, or 505 of title 32, or the prior corresponding provisions of law. See 38 U.S.C. § 101(23); 38 C.F.R. § 3.6(d). The Veteran is diagnosed with bilateral patellofemoral syndrome and DJD. See February 2015 VA examination report. The Veteran contends his bilateral knee condition is due to various training incidents and the rigors of service. See June 2014, January 2015, and March 2016 Veteran statements. As to nexus, Dr. D.M., the Veteran’s treating physician, wrote in an August 2016 letter that the Veteran’s knee pain is service related. Dr. D.M. noted the Veteran’s knee pain began during basic training and that he had episodes of knee dislocating during service. The Board finds Dr. D.M.’s opinion probative. The Veteran’s representative also noted that the Veteran’s symptoms began during service and continued thereafter. See April 2021 informal hearing presentation (IHP). Overall, the Veteran entered service without any knee issues. See February 1981 service treatment records (STRs). A medical provider found the Veteran’s knee conditions related to service. The Veteran competently stated his knee conditions started during service. The Board finds his assertions credible. (Continued on the next page)   The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s bilateral knee condition had its onset in service. Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran’s favor, the Board finds that the Veteran’s bilateral knee condition originated during service. Accordingly, service connection for left and right patellofemoral syndrome and DJD is warranted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b); 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. DONNIE R. HACHEY Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Zheng, Associate Counsel 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.