Citation Nr: 18153092
Decision Date: 11/28/18	Archive Date: 11/27/18

DOCKET NO. 15-18 513
DATE:	November 28, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded.
REFERRED
The issues of entitlement to pension, entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, entitlement to an increased rating for bladder cancer, entitlement to service connection for neuropathy, entitlement to service connection for Parkinson’s, entitlement to service connection for incontinence, entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, and entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction were addressed in a May 2018 Fully Developed Compensation Claim and a May 2018 Fully Developed Pension Claim and are referred to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for adjudication.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from January 1951 to January 1954.  
The Veteran requested a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) in the May 2015 substantive appeal.  The Veteran subsequently cancelled the hearing request.
Entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded.
The Veteran provided December 1992 private treatment records which showed that he underwent Boswell screw surgery on his left shoulder.  In January 2015, he provided a detailed description of an in-service injury that, in his view, led to his claimed left shoulder condition.  In light of this detailed lay evidence, the Board finds that there is an indication that residuals of the Veteran’s left shoulder surgery may be related to his active duty service; however, there is insufficient evidence to decide this claim.  A VA examination has not been conducted to date, and is thus necessary.  McClendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Contact the Veteran and request authorization to obtain any outstanding records pertinent to the claim, including any private treatment records following proper VA procedures (38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)).
2. Arrange for the Veteran to undergo a VA orthopedic examination with a qualified medical professional to determine the nature and etiology of any left shoulder condition.  
The claims file should be made available to the examiner for review in connection with the examination.  All necessary tests and studies should be accomplished, and all pertinent symptoms and clinical findings should be reported in detail.  Based on review of the record and examination of the Veteran, and after eliciting a detailed history of the Veteran’s conditions from him, the examiner should respond to the following:
(a.) Identify (by diagnosis) any left shoulder condition found; and
(b.) Identify the likely etiology for each diagnosed left shoulder condition.  Specifically, is it at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) that the disability is related to the Veteran’s active service, to include the Veteran’s lay contentions of an in-service left shoulder injury, as detailed in a January 2015 statement.
The examiner is advised that the Veteran is competent to report symptoms, treatment, and injuries.  The Veteran’s reports must be considered in formulating the requested opinions.  If there is a medical basis to doubt the history provided by the Veteran, the examiner should provide a fully reasoned explanation.  All opinions must be supported by a rationale.
 
A. C. MACKENZIE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	B. N. Quarles, Associate Counsel