Citation Nr: 18140849
Decision Date: 10/09/18	Archive Date: 10/09/18

DOCKET NO. 16-22 101
DATE:	October 9, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial rating more than 10 percent for left shoulder labral repair is remanded.
Entitlement to a rating more than 10 percent for thoracolumbar spine strain is remanded.
Entitlement to an initial rating more than 10 percent for a right ankle disability is remanded.
Entitlement to an initial rating more than 30 percent for depression is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from January 2013 to April 2015.  These matters are before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).
Initial ratings
The Veteran is seeking higher initial ratings for his depression, back, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities.  In written statements of record, he has asserted that his disabilities have increased in severity.  See April 2016 substantive appeal.
 
The Veteran was most recently provided VA examinations in August 2015—over three years ago.  In the April 2016 statement, the Veteran reported that he experiences increased pain and difficulty moving his back, left shoulder, and right ankle.  He indicated he was experiencing popping of his shoulder as well as instability of the ankle.  He also indicated that his psychiatric disability has become more severe.  He stated that his memory loss was getting worse and that he was having difficulty connecting with friends and family.
Considering the above, the Board concludes that a remand to provide the Veteran with contemporaneous VA examinations to determine the current frequency and severity of the symptoms related to his service-connected depression, back, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities, is necessary to fulfill VA’s duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating the issue on appeal under the controlling laws.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. The agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) should request that the Veteran be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination to evaluate his service-connected depression.  
The examiner should describe the frequency and severity of the manifestations of the Veteran’s service-connected depression, as well as its functional impact.

2.  The AOJ should also request that the Veteran be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination to evaluate his service-connected back, left shoulder, and right ankle.  
The examiner should describe the frequency and severity of the manifestations of the Veteran’s service-connected back, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities, as well as their functional impact.
 
H.M. WALKER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M. McPhaull, Counsel