RATER: this is what the rater wrote please develop for the veteran service personnel records, in support of the re-opened claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability, the veteran submitted a statement from a private physician relating his disability to his in service jumps, a review of the veteran dd 214 shows his last duty assignment was the Airborne corps , please request the veteran complete personnel records upon receipt of personnel records , review for participation in any parachute jumps, if any involvement in parachute jumps or mission are identified, an exam and opinion will be necessary.
The physician statement: To the VA this veteran is a patient here at our practice we are currently treating him for chronic knee and back pain this veteran has been evaluated for back pain through the VA Medical system, we feel more than not that these condition occurred while this Veteran was enlisted while in the military. This Veteran served as a paratrooper from 1980-83 during this time with constant parachuting and lifting , these condition got progressively worse at this time this Veteran condition have become such a problem he can not complete his daily activities or maintain gainful employment, he has been through physical therapy , home exercise program and multiple medication on examination this Veteran has decreased range of motion ,with severs crepitus upon movement ,his knees also has moderate effusion, with patella tendonitis with his back has abnormal gait with decreased range of motion with degenerated disc disease. This is what was presented by my IMO.