Citation Nr: 18144300
Decision Date: 10/24/18	Archive Date: 10/24/18

DOCKET NO. 13-24 751
DATE:	October 24, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for left rotator cuff tear of the supraspinatus tendon, status post repair, to include as secondary to service-connected disease or injury is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from March 1973 to August 2003, when he retired.  This matter is before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2013 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  In July 2016 and February 2018, the Board remanded the matter for additional development.
Left shoulder rotator cuff tear of the supraspinatus tendon status post repair is remanded.
The Board previously remanded this claim in February 2018 for the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any left shoulder rotator cuff tear of the supraspinatus tendon disability began in or is related to service or any incident of service.  The Veteran’s claim was to then be readjudicated.  A review of the record reveals that the AOJ provided the Veteran with a VA examination for his left shoulder in August 2018.  However, no medical opinion was rendered as to whether the Veteran’s left shoulder rotator cuff tear of the supraspinatus tendon disability began in or is related to any incident of service.  Further, the Veteran’s claim was not readjudicated.  Therefore, the Board finds that remand is warranted for compliance with the February 2018 Board remand instructions, specifically obtaining a medical opinion as to whether the Veteran’s left shoulder disability is related to service as well as readjudication of the Veteran’s claim.  See Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268, 271 (1998).
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Forward the claims file to the VA examiner who provided the VA examination for the Veteran’s left shoulder in August 2018.  If that examiner is not available, then forward the claims file to another appropriate medical professional.  The examiner is requested to review all pertinent records associated with the claims folder, including the Veteran's service treatment records, post-service medical records, and lay statements.
If the clinician determines that another examination is needed, the Veteran should be scheduled for a new examination.  

Based on the review of the Veteran's claims file, the examiner is asked to opine as to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any left shoulder rotator cuff tear of the supraspinatus tendon disability began in or is related to service.
Provide a comprehensive rationale for every opinion.   

2.  Review the claims file to ensure that all the foregoing requested development is completed, and arrange for any additional development indicated. Then readjudicate the claim on appeal.  If the benefit sought remains denied, issue an appropriate supplemental statement of the case and provide the Veteran and his representative with the requisite period of time to respond.  

 
H. N. SCHWARTZ
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Arif Syed, Counsel