Citation Nr: 18143412
Decision Date: 10/19/18	Archive Date: 10/18/18

DOCKET NO. 15-36 448
DATE:	October 19, 2018

REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for compression spine injury C1-7 is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran honorably served in the United States Army from June 1971 until January 1992. 
Entitlement to service connection for compression spine injury C1-7 is remanded.
This matter is brought before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a September 2013 rating decision denying service connection for compression spine injury because there is no connection to an in-service injury, event, or disease.  Additionally, the disorder did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year from separation. 
A VA examination is required when there is (1) competent evidence of a current disability, (2) evidence establishing that an event, injury, or disease incurred in service, (3) an indication that the disability may be associated with the Veteran’s service, but (4) insufficient evidence in the file for a decision to be made. McClendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). 
The Veteran contends that his back pain has been consistent since active service. Cervical spine pain has been acknowledged in his private medical records since June 2012; however, lower and middle back pain were noted on numerous occasions throughout the Veteran’s service treatment records. The Veteran was treated for upper back pain in July 1980. The Veteran’s service treatment records indicate a jump injury in April 1985. The Veteran was seen in the emergency room twice for back pain relating to this specific incident. There is no opinion discussing medical nexus, so the file is insufficient to decide. The combination of service treatment records, private treatment records, and Veteran’s lay statements indicate that a VA examination is warranted. 
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disorder. After reviewing the file, the examiner is asked to opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including a documented jump injury.   

 
R. FEINBERG
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	S. N. Fournier, Law Clerk