Citation Nr: 18158302
Decision Date: 12/14/18	Archive Date: 12/14/18

DOCKET NO. 17-04 852A
DATE:	December 14, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for a right ankle condition is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from December 1989 to December 1993 and April 1997 to April 2001.  This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a January 2016 rating decision.
VA is required to obtain a medical opinion when the record contains competent evidence that the claimant has a current disability or signs and symptoms of a current disability; the record indicates that the disability or signs and symptoms of disability may be associated with active service; and the record does not contain sufficient information to make a decision on the claim.  38 U.S.C. § 5103A(d); McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).
Here, the Veteran has not been provided VA examinations for his ankle and shoulder conditions.  He has submitted lay statements indicating current pain and swelling of the right ankle, as well as current bilateral pain in his shoulders.  Recent VA treatment records likewise document complaints of shoulder pain.  The Veteran’s service treatment records show that he suffered ankle sprains during his first period of active service, and the Veteran has asserted his shoulder pain dates back to carrying heavy packs while serving as a firefighter during his second period of active service.  Although the Veteran is not competent to diagnose his conditions or provide expert opinions on the nexus between his current conditions and injuries in service, he is competent to report symptoms capable of lay observation, such as pain and swelling.
Based on this evidence, the Board does not have sufficient information to make a decision on the Veteran’s claim.  Competent evidence of record suggests the Veteran has signs of a current disability that may be associated with active service, but a medical opinion has not been obtained regarding the claim.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral shoulder disability.  The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, to include the Veteran’s duties carrying heavy packs as a firefighter in service.
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2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any right ankle disability.  The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, to include documented ankle injuries contained in the Veteran’s service treatment records.
 
M. HYLAND
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	D. Pitman, Associate Counsel