Citation Nr: 21074470
Decision Date: 12/15/21	Archive Date: 12/15/21

DOCKET NO. 18-53 402
DATE: December 15, 2021

REMANDED

Service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had active service in the United States Coast Guard from October 4, 2015 to October 16, 2015. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a July 2016 rating decision. The Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge at a Board hearing in June 2020. A transcript of this hearing is of record. 

The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination and medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left shoulder disability. Therefore, the Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion. 38 U.S.C. § 5103A(d); McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

Schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed left shoulder disability. All indicated tests and studies should be performed.  

After reviewing the file, the examiner must opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that any diagnosed left shoulder disability is related to the Veteran's military service. Specifically, the examiner must address all lay statements made by the Veteran, including but not limited to the Veteran's testimony at the June 2020 Board hearing. The rationale for each opinion must be provided.

 

 

JOHN Z. JONES

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Jorge Barroso, Associate 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.