Citation Nr: 19150455
Decision Date: 06/27/19	Archive Date: 06/27/19

DOCKET NO. 09-28 044A
DATE:	June 27, 2019

ORDER

Entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder, to include bursitis is granted.

FINDING OF FACT

With resolution of the doubt in favor of the Veteran, his right shoulder disorder is due to service.

CONCLUSION OF LAW

The criteria for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, to include bursitis, are met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303.

REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from July 1977 to April 1994.

Entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder, to include bursitis

The Veteran contends that his right shoulder disorder is a result of service. 

The Board concludes that it is as least as likely as not that the Veteran has a current disability that is related to his active service, specifically his dives and the in-service complaints of bursitis.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a).

The December 2017 VA examination showed a diagnosis of right shoulder strain with decreased range of motion and pain.  During service, the Veteran was seen for complaints of bursitis in the right shoulder. Thus, the question becomes whether the current disability is related to service.  

A VA opinion was obtained in May 2019.  The examiner opined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was as least as likely as not incurred it or caused by an in-service event.  He provided the following rationale: 

Although the retirement exam notes that the Veteran’s bursitis responded to anti-inflammatories, this does not eliminate the possibility of recurrence, or chronic pathology. According to Mayo Clinic, “In most cases, bursitis pain goes away within a few weeks with proper treatment, but recurrent flare-ups of bursitis are common.” The disease process is similar with strain. If the ligament is repeatedly stressed, then the ligaments lose their toughness and become stretched out. When this happens, ankle sprains can become recurrent, per Life’s Work PT. The 11/2018 C&P cited above also details the long-term musculoskeletal effects of diving.  Based on the Veteran’s consistent history and records, a nexus is established direct to in-service events/injury.



Upon review of the record, the Board finds this evidence to be sufficient to grant the Veteran's claim.  Accordingly, after resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that service connection for a right shoulder disorder is warranted.  38 U.S.C. § 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102.

 

MICHAEL D. LYON

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Shana Z. Siesser, Counsel

The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.