Citation Nr: 18148052
Decision Date: 11/06/18	Archive Date: 11/06/18

DOCKET NO. 16-35 671
DATE:	November 6, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for right shoulder pain (also claimed as joint pain) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from September 1979 to June 1992 in the United States Air Force.
1. Entitlement to service connection for right shoulder pain (also claimed as joint pain) is remanded.
The Veteran states that he experienced shoulder strains during service. Such is documented in his service treatment records. After separation from service, the Veteran sought treatment for his right shoulder pain in 2009 and 2016.  No diagnosis was made at those visits.
The RO denied the claim on the bases that there was essentially no evidence of a chronic disability of the Veteran’s right shoulder. However, the Veteran argues that his shoulder condition is ongoing, that he has self-medicated since service, and that he is increasingly unable to accomplish routine physical tasks (functional loss) due to his shoulder disability.  Given his documented treatment for right shoulder pain in service and post-service, the Board finds that VA’s duty to provide the Veteran with a VA examination has been triggered. Indeed, even if a diagnosed disability disability of shoulder is not shown, the Board remains mindful that VA must consider whether the Veteran has functional impairment for which service connection may be granted.  See Saunders v. Wilkie, 886 F.3d 1356, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2018).
Additionally, the Veteran indicated in August 2016 correspondence that he was seeking an evaluation from a civilian medical provider to assess his right shoulder condition.  No private medical evaluation has been submitted into the record, VA must attempt to obtain any such records.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. Contact the Veteran to determine whether there are any additional relevant private treatment records and obtain any necessary authorizations for such records.
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an appropriate VA medical professional to determine the current nature and etiology of any right shoulder disorder.  The claims file should be made available to the examiner. Based on review of the record, the VA examiner should provide an opinion that responds to the following: 
a.	Please identify all disabilities of the right shoulder found to be present or that have existed during the appeal period.  In doing so, the examiner MUST discuss whether the Veteran has functional impairment of the right shoulder.
b.	Provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently identified right shoulder disability, or right shoulder functional impairment, had its onset during service. 
c.	Provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently identified right shoulder disability or right shoulder functional impairment was caused by or related to his complaints of shoulder pain during service or any incidents related to service.  
In offering an opinion, the examiner must specifically address the Veteran’s competent report of right shoulder strain due to baseball physical training during service, and pain during and since service.
The examiner report must include a complete rationale for all opinions expressed.
 
MICHAEL A. HERMAN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M.E. Lee, Associate Counsel