Back to BVA DecisionsGRANTEDService Branch ARMY Special Benefit NO SPECIAL BENEFIT Docket No. 200930-112327
KNEE IMPAIRMENT OF
J. T. HUTCHESON · 2026 · Case ID: A26008103
Summary
The veteran served in the Army from June 1984 to November 1984 and January 1991 to October 1991, with additional duty in the Army Reserve. The veteran appealed the denial of service connection for recurrent left knee degenerative arthritis and strain residuals, and for recurrent left ankle strain residuals. The Agency of Original Jurisdiction had denied these claims in September 2020. The Board reviewed evidence of record up to the time of the Agency's decision, plus any evidence submitted at the hearing or within 90 days following. The veteran has service connection for thoracic spine multiple level degenerative joint disease, right lower extremity sensory deficits, left lower extremity sensory deficits, urinary frequency, fecal leakage, and right knee degenerative arthritis. The Board found that the veteran's diagnosed left knee degenerative arthritis and strain residuals are related to his service-connected spinal and right knee disabilities, and the resulting altered gait. This conclusion was supported by multiple medical opinions from Drs. Huskey, Uhland, and Sibley, who opined that the condition was as likely as not or more likely than not related to service or caused by the altered gait stemming from service-connected issues. Similarly, the Board found the left ankle strain residuals to be related to the service-connected disabilities and altered gait, based on the same medical opinions. Therefore, service connection for both the left knee and left ankle conditions was granted.
Rationale
Medical opinions from Drs. Huskey, Uhland, and Sibley support secondary service connection.; Opinions link left knee condition to service-connected spinal and right knee issues and altered gait.; Veteran diagnosed with left knee degenerative arthritis and strain residuals.
Full Decision Text
Citation Nr: A26008103 Decision Date: 01/28/26 Archive Date: 01/28/26 DOCKET NO. 200930-112327 DATE: January 28, 2026 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for recurrent left knee degenerative arthritis and strain residuals is granted. Entitlement to service connection for recurrent left ankle strain residuals is granted. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. Service connection has been established for thoracic spine multiple level degenerative joint disease; right lower extremity sensory deficits; left lower extremity sensory deficits; urinary frequency, fecal leakage; and right knee degenerative arthritis. 2. Recurrent left knee degenerative arthritis and strain residuals have shown to be related to the service-connected disabilities. 3. Recurrent left ankle strain residuals have shown to be related to the service connected disabilities. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The criteria for service connection for recurrent left knee degenerative arthritis and strain residuals have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a). 2. The criteria for service connection for recurrent left ankle strain residuals have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a). REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veteran had active service from June 1984 to November 1984 and from January 1991 to October 1991. He had additional duty with the Army Reserve. The Veteran appeared at an April 2024 virtual hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. The hearing transcript is of record. In September 2020, the Agency of Original Jurisdiction denied service connection for both left knee injury residuals and a left ankle disability. In October 2020, the Veteran submitted a Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), VA Form 10182, and elected the Hearing Review Docket. Therefore, the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) may only consider the evidence of record at the time of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction decision on appeal as well as any evidence submitted by the Veteran at the hearing or within 90 days following the hearing. 38 C.F.R. § 20.302(a). If evidence was submitted either (1) during the period after the Agency of Original Jurisdiction issued the decision on appeal and prior to the Board hearing, or (2) more than 90 days following the hearing, the Board did not consider it in its decision. 38 C.F.R. §§ 20.300, 20.302(a), 20.801. Service Connection Service connection may be granted for recurrent disability which is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a). Service connection shall be granted on a secondary basis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a) where it is demonstrated that a service-connected disorder has aggravated a nonservice connected disability. Allen v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 439 (1995). Service connection has been established for thoracic spine multiple level degenerative joint disease; right lower extremity sensory deficits; left lower extremity sensory deficits; urinary frequency, fecal leakage; and right knee degenerative arthritis. Recurrent Left Knee Disability The Veteran asserts that service connection for a recurrent left knee disability is warranted as the diagnosed left knee degenerative arthritis and strain residuals are related to the service-connected disabilities. The report of an August 2020 knee examination conducted for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that the Veteran was diagnosed with left knee degenerative arthritis. The report of a September 2020 knee examination conducted for VA states that the Veteran related that "extreme flare-ups in my right knee with swelling and inflammation caused me to shift the weight to the left leg and caused burning and pain in the left knee." The Veteran was diagnosed with left knee strain residuals. An August 2020 written statement from R. Huskey, D.C., states that his office had been treating the Veteran for left knee pain since August 2017. Dr. Huskey concluded that it was "as likely as not, [the Veteran's] altered gait and pain associated with his left knee and ankle due to overcompensation of right knee pain along with sciatic nerve compression and herniated disc in the lumbar spine." An April 2024 written statement from Dr. Huskey reiterates that "the low back and right knee pain causes the altered gait and that has contributed to the injury of his left knee and left ankle." A June 2024 written statement from Z. residuals. An August 2020 written statement from R. Huskey, D.C., states that his office had been treating the Veteran for left knee pain since August 2017. Dr. Huskey concluded that it was "as likely as not, [the Veteran's] altered gait and pain associated with his left knee and ankle due to overcompensation of right knee pain along with sciatic nerve compression and herniated disc in the lumbar spine." An April 2024 written statement from Dr. Huskey reiterates that "the low back and right knee pain causes the altered gait and that has contributed to the injury of his left knee and left ankle." A June 2024 written statement from Z. Uhland, D.O., conveys that he had treated the Veteran since January 2020. He determined that "[i]t is also my opinion that it is more likely than not that his secondary conditions of left knee and left ankle pain and disability are a direct result of the back pain, injury, and subsequent degenerative disc disease that originated with his injury during active military service." A July 2024 written statement from J. Sibley, D.C., states that he had treated the Veteran since December 2020. The doctor opined that "[t]he patient's altered gait from his low back injury has caused the knee and ankle pain" and "after reviewing his records and treating the patient since 2020, it is my opinion that it is more likely than not that [the Veteran's condition is related to his military service injury." The Veteran has been diagnosed with recurrent left knee degenerative arthritis and strain residuals. Drs. Huskey, Uhland, and Sibley have concluded that the diagnosed left knee disabilities are related to the service-connected spinal and right knee disabilities and the Veteran's associated altered gait. Therefore, the Board concludes that service connection for recurrent left knee degenerative arthritis and strain residuals is warranted. Recurrent Left Ankle Disability The Veteran asserts that service connection for a recurrent left ankle disability is warranted as the diagnosed left ankle strain residuals are related to the service connected disabilities. The report of a September 2020 ankle examination conducted for VA states that the Veteran was diagnosed with left ankle strain residuals. The August 2020 written statement from Dr. Huskey concluded that it was "as likely as not, [the Veteran's] altered gait and pain associated with his left knee and ankle due to overcompensation of right knee pain along with sciatic nerve compression and herniated disc in the lumbar spine." In his April 2024 written statement, Dr. Huskey reiterates that "the low back and right knee pain causes the altered gait and that has contributed to the injury of his left knee and left ankle." In his June 2024 written statement, Dr. Uhland determined that "[i]t is also my opinion that it is more likely than not that his secondary conditions of left knee and left ankle pain and disability are a direct result of the back pain, injury, and subsequent degenerative disc disease that originated with his injury during active military In his July 2024 written statement, Dr. Sibley opined that "[t]he patient's altered gait from his low back injury has caused the knee and ankle pain" and "after reviewing his records and treating the patient since 2020, it is my opinion that it is more likely than not that [the Veteran's condition is related to his military service injury." The Veteran has been diagnosed with recurrent left ankle strain residuals. Drs. Huskey, Uhland, and Sibley have concluded that the diagnosed left knee ankle strain residuals are related to the service-connected spinal and right knee disabilities and the Veteran's associated altered gait. Therefore, the Board concludes that service connection for recurrent left ankle strain residuals is warranted. J. T. HUTCHESON Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Smith, 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.