Citation Nr: 18158480 Decision Date: 12/18/18 Archive Date: 12/17/18 DOCKET NO. 12-05 829 DATE: December 18, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder dislocation with rotator cuff tear is remanded. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disc disease is remanded. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar spine disc disease. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left hip strain with painful motion (previously rated as a left hip soft tissue injury) is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a left hip strain with limitation of flexion is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a left hip strain with limitation of extension is remanded. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left knee soft tissue injury is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the Army from February 1989 to December 1997. These matters come before the Board of Veteran’s Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2011 rating decision by the Regional Office (RO). 1. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder dislocation with rotator cuff tear 2. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disc disease 3. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar spine disc disease. 4. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left hip strain with painful motion (previously rated as a left hip soft tissue injury) 5. Entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a left hip strain with limitation of flexion 6. Entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a left hip strain with limitation of extension 7. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left knee soft tissue injury The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder, lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee disabilities. See Claim, May 2011. Also, the Board has more properly characterized the Veteran’s claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability as including entitlement to an increased rating for his associated left lower extremity radiculopathy. See 38 C.F.R. 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5243, Note (1) (2017). In June 2017, the Board remanded the Veteran’s claims for new VA examinations in light of the recent holding in Correia that musculoskeletal examinations for rating purposes should generally include range of motion test results in both active and passive motion, weight-bearing and non-weight bearing. See Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016) (quoting 38 C.F.R. §4.59). The Veteran was scheduled for the VA examinations in August 2018, but failed to report. The Veteran has reported that he was hospitalized during the scheduled examination on August 10, 2018, and was unable to attend. See Correspondence, September 2018. In that regard, an August 13, 2018 VA telephone triage record shows the Veteran reported he was hospitalized at Mercy Gilbert Hospital on August 9, 2018, for severe right-sided pain, and that he was continuing to experience pain. See CAPRI, received September 2018 at p.20 of 34. In light of all the above, the Board finds the Veteran has shown good cause for his failure to report to the scheduled VA examinations in August 2018, and these matters should be remanded to afford the Veteran another opportunity to present for VA examinations to address the current severity of his disabilities on appeal. 38 C.F.R. § 3.655 (2018). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule a new VA examination to address the current severity of the following service-connected disabilities: a) Left shoulder; b) Lumbar spine; c) Left hip; d) Left knee; and e) Left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbar spine. The claims folder should be made available to the examiner and pertinent documents therein should be reviewed by the examiner. All necessary tests and studies should be accomplished, and all clinical findings should be reported in detail. The examination must comply with the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 4.59 involving measurements of passive and active range of motion - in both weight bearing and non-weight bearing. The examiner must explain why any of these clinical tests are not appropriate or could not be performed. A complete rationale for any opinions expressed should be provided. For the left shoulder, lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee - the examiner should be asked to note whether there is any weakened movement, excess fatigability, incoordination, or pain on use. If so, the examiner should note whether there are any additional degrees of loss of motion as a result (if it is not feasible to quantify, please explain). For the left shoulder, lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee - if flare-ups are noted, the examiner should note whether pain during flare-ups additionally limits functional ability. The examiner should note whether there are any additional degrees of loss of motion due to pain during flare-ups (if it is not feasible to quantify, please explain). The examiner should also address the effect of the Veteran’s left shoulder, lumbar spine, left hip, left knee, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities on his occupational functioning and activities of daily living. J.W. FRANCIS Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD J. Juliano, Counsel