The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities may be attributable to in-service injuries, but a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's testimony suggests that his currently diagnosed spinal disabilities are related to service, particularly an incident where he was pinned beneath filing cabinets during service. However, further medical evidence is required to establish this relationship.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a cervical spine injury, residuals of a lumbar spine injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2009
- Citation
- 0917750
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0917750.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn the appeal for service connection claims related to a lumbar spine injury, fibromyalgia, a left shoulder injury, and a cervical spine injury with traumatic arthritis.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed as the issue is moot due to a full grant of benefits. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions were remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of residuals of a cervical spine injury due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and the Veteran's credible testimony of an inservice injury. The claim will be returned for further development, including obtaining medical opinions.
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