Citation Nr: 21014850 Decision Date: 03/15/21 Archive Date: 03/15/21 DOCKET NO. 11-19 695 DATE: March 15, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a lower back disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from August 2001 to August 2005 and from May 2006 to September 2007. For his meritorious service, the Veteran was awarded (among other decorations) the Army Commendation Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an March 2009 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In December 2018, the Veteran testified at a video conference hearing held before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of this hearing has been added to the record. In March 2019, the Board remanded this matter for additional evidentiary development. 1. Entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability. 2. Entitlement to service connection for a lower back disability. A review of the record indicates that the Board’s March 2019 remand directives were not completed due to the Veteran’s change of address. Following extensive efforts to locate him by the RO, the Veteran submitted an updated mailing address in September 2020. Later that same month, the RO provided the Veteran with a copy of the June 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case, which had previously been returned as undeliverable. In its January 2021 brief, the Veteran’s representative argues that the Veteran’s failure to report for the examinations scheduled in support of his claims was not without good cause. While this argument fails to account for the Veteran’s duty to update VA of changes to his address of record, it does appear that the Veteran did not receive notification for the examinations scheduled on his behalf. Accordingly, the RO should make a final attempt to complete the development addressed within the Board’s March 2019 remand. The RO is commended for its efforts to locate the Veteran in this matter. The Veteran is notified that it is essential for him to keep VA apprised of his current address. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Afford the Veteran the opportunity to submit additional evidence or argument in furtherance of the appealed claim. With appropriate authorization and assistance, obtain any VA or pertinent private records of treatment or examination. 2. Schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and possible relationship to service of his claimed low back and right shoulder disabilities. The claims folder, including a copy of this remand, must be made available to, and be reviewed by, the examiner. The examination must include all physical and diagnostic testing deemed necessary by the examiner in conjunction with this request. The examiner is to specifically state whether the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of any specific back and right shoulder disabilities, and, if so, whether those disabilities had their onset during or are otherwise related to his active service, including his service in postal operations. A rationale for all opinions expressed should be provided. The examiner should address the Veteran’s reports of specific back and right shoulder trauma in service, as well as the service treatment records detailing specific injuries and treatment for his claimed conditions. Evan M. Deichert Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board W. Yates, 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.