Citation Nr: 22018166
Decision Date: 03/28/22	Archive Date: 03/28/22

DOCKET NO. 19-29 565
DATE: March 28, 2022

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disorder, as secondary to service-connected right or left knee disorders, is remanded.

Entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, as secondary to service-connected right or left knee disorders, is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had active service from September 1977 to November 1977.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a January 2019 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

In October 2021, the Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of the hearing is of record.

The Veteran asserts that his cervical and lumbar spine disorders are secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disorders. In support of his appeal, he submitted private opinions linking his low back symptoms to his right knee disorder. However, such opinions lack a fully reasoned rationale. In May 2020, the Veteran underwent a VA examination and opinion. The examiner opined negatively on any relationship between his claimed disorders and his right or left knee disorder. However, while the examiner described the disease process of degenerative disc disease, she did not discuss whether impairment from the Veteran's knees, specifically to include an altered gait, would cause or aggravate his claimed disorders. Accordingly, the Board finds that an addendum opinion is required on remand. 

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

Obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate medical professional as to the etiology of the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

Following a review of the claims file, the examiner should offer an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders were caused OR aggravated beyond their natural progression by his service-connected right knee or left knee disorders.

In rendering an opinion, the examiner is asked to comment on any impact from the Veteran's altered gait.

Any opinion must be supported by a full rationale.

 

 

L. M. BARNARD

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Department of Veterans Affairs

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.