Citation Nr: 18158606 Decision Date: 12/17/18 Archive Date: 12/17/18 DOCKET NO. 15-27 642 DATE: December 17, 2018 REMAND Service connection for a right shoulder condition is remanded.   REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from September 1967 to September 1971. The case is on appeal from an August 2011 rating decision. The decision also denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. Thereafter, in a July 2015 rating decision, the RO granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, the right shoulder condition is the sole issue on appeal. In a July 2015 VA Form 9, the Veteran requested a Board hearing. A Board hearing was scheduled for November 2018. The Veteran withdrew the hearing request at that time. 38 C.F.R. §20.704(e). Service connection for a right shoulder condition. The Veteran seeks entitlement to service connection for his right shoulder condition. The Veteran asserts that while serving on active duty, he suffered an injury to his right shoulder when a radio slipped from a mounted rack and hurt his right shoulder. Additionally, he states that as a result of the injury, he was taken to the base clinic and had his shoulder placed in a sling for two weeks. The Veteran’s service treatment records (STRs) reflect no episode of a right shoulder injury, treatment or complaint during service. Although a May 1971 separation examination is silent for any complaints of right shoulder pain, the Veteran asserts that since the alleged injury his shoulder never healed and has caused him pain until today. After service, VA treatment records reflect that, in March 2011, the Veteran complained of chronic right shoulder pain at the Perry VA Outreach Clinic. On the same day, he was afforded x-rays which revealed no gross fracture or dislocation along with mild degenerative changes noted of the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint. No definite soft tissue calcification was noted. The radiologist’s impression was that the Veteran was undergoing degenerative changes. Private medical records show that in August 2015, the Veteran received treatment for right shoulder pain from Dr. W.W., who noted that right shoulder pain symptoms had been present for six months. The physician pointed out that the Veteran was seen for the same problem at the Perry VA Outreach Clinic. X-rays were also afforded during this visit. The Veteran was diagnosed with “pain, right shoulder with rotator cuff tendinitis and acromioclavicular joint degenerative disc disease.” The report also shows that a 1971 in-service injury was noted. The doctor also noted that the problem is characterized as intermittent, dull, sharp and aching. “The symptoms do not differ from day and night.” Additionally, the symptoms include ROM limitation without change since its onset, which increased gradually. The evidence of record shows that the Veteran has a current right shoulder condition. The Board also finds the Veteran’s statements credible as to having an injury during service consistent with his MOS as a Radio Operator Specialist. Therefore, the Board finds that a remand is thus warranted, as the Veteran has not yet been afforded a VA examination for his claimed condition. Under McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 81 (2006), VA is to afford a veteran an examination when there is an indication that a current disability or symptoms indicating a current disability may be related to an in-service event, and no examination has yet been conducted. A medical opinion as to the claim should also be obtained. In light of the remand, updated VA treatment records should be obtained. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain updated VA treatment records dated since June 2015. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an orthopedist with respect to the Veteran’s right shoulder claim. Any clinically indicated diagnostic testing should be performed. The examiner should first identify the Veteran’s current right shoulder condition. For any current right shoulder condition, is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the condition had its onset during, or is otherwise related to, the Veteran’s service, including the radio injury? A complete rationale or explanation should be provided for any opinion reached. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD William Pagan, Associate Counsel