Citation Nr: 18132221
Decision Date: 09/06/18	Archive Date: 09/06/18

DOCKET NO. 15-44 421
DATE:	September 6, 2018
ORDER
Service connection for right knee arthritis is granted.  
Service connection for left knee arthritis is granted.  
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. Right knee arthritis has been shown to have originated during active service.  
2. Left knee arthritis has been shown to have originated during active service.  
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. The criteria for service connection for right knee arthritis have been met.  38 U.S.C. § 1110, 1131, 5103, 5103A, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.156, 3.159, 3.303.  
2. The criteria for service connection for left knee arthritis have been met.  38 U.S.C. § 1110, 1131, 5103, 5103A, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.156, 3.159, 3.303.  
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
The Veteran had active service from May 1973 to May 1976.  
The Veteran asserts that service connection for recurrent right knee and left knee arthritic disabilities is warranted as the claimed disorders were initially manifested during active service.  
Service connection may be granted for a recurrent disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303 (a).  Service connection may be granted for any disease diagnosed after discharge when all the evidence, including that pertinent to service, establishes that the disease was incurred in service.  38 C.F.R. § 3.303(d).
The service treatment records note that the Veteran was seen for right knee and left knee complaints.  A March 1974 treatment record conveys that the Veteran was seen for “both knees” and sent for X ray studies.  No diagnosis was advanced.  An August 1975 treatment record states that the Veteran complained of “knots and pain” in both knees of one and one half years’ duration.  An impression of “muscle pain both knees” was advanced. 
A May 2014 evaluation from P. Hurley, M.D., states that the Veteran presented a history of having injured his knees during active service.  The Veteran was diagnosed with right knee and left knee arthritis.  He was assessed with bilateral knee pain and bilateral knee arthritis.  
A January 2015 written statement from H. Igdal, M.D., indicates that he had reviewed the service treatment records and concluded that the Veteran’s right knee and left knee disabilities were related to active service.  The physician clarified that “there is a greater than 50% probability that [the Veteran’s] left and right knee pain began during his military service.”  
The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) finds that the record is in at least equipoise as to whether the diagnosed right knee and left knee arthritis was initially manifested during active service.  Upon resolution of all reasonable doubt in the Veteran’s favor, the Board concludes that service connection for both right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis is warranted.  
 
J. T. HUTCHESON
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Denton, Buck 

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