Citation Nr: 20007449 Decision Date: 01/29/20 Archive Date: 01/29/20 DOCKET NO. 14-29 340 DATE: January 29, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder, claimed as fracture of the right clavicle, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service from September 1977 to September 1981. He testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) at a videoconference hearing in January 2020. Entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder, claimed as fracture of the right clavicle, is remanded. The Veteran contends that he has a right shoulder disorder as a result of a motorcycle accident in service. He was afforded a VA examination in December 2016 and an addendum opinion was obtained in the same month. The examiner confirmed a diagnosis of right shoulder impingement and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis. The examiner then opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran’s right shoulder disorder was related to service. As rationale, she stated that there was no documentation of a right shoulder injury in the Veteran’s service treatment records. In her addendum opinion, the examiner further stated that the first instance of bilateral shoulder pain noted in the Veteran’s records was March 2014. However, this is inaccurate. As noted above, the Veteran was discharged from service in September 1981. In December 1981, he filed his first claim with VA. At that time, he stated that he had fractured both of his clavicles during service. He is currently service-connected for his left clavicle fracture. Although his service treatment records mostly document the injury to his left shoulder, they also document the Veteran being seen for his right shoulder as well. In addition, the evidence also shows that since service, the Veteran has claimed he has experienced pain in his right shoulder, including when he would lift his arms. See e.g. February 1982 Lay Statement. As such, remand is warranted for a new VA examination. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Afford the Veteran a new VA examination with another appropriate clinician to determine the etiology of his right shoulder disorder. The examiner must review the entire claims file and must accept as fact that the Veteran has experienced pain in his right shoulder since service. The examiner is then asked to opine: whether the Veteran’s right shoulder disorder is at least as likely as not related to service. A complete rationale for any opinion rendered must be provided. The December 2016 VA examiner seemed to suggest that the Veteran’s current right shoulder disorder is not related to service because the Veteran was pointing to an area that is painful that would not be the result of a right clavicle fracture. The examiner must address this and explain whether or not the Veteran’s currently diagnosed right shoulder disorder is the type of disorder that would develop as a result of a right clavicle fracture or similar injury. H.M. WALKER Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Martha R. Luboch, 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.