Citation Nr: 21022753 Decision Date: 04/19/21 Archive Date: 04/19/21 DOCKET NO. 18-23 533 DATE: April 19, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from September 2010 to September 2016. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a September 2017 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran testified at a hearing with the undersigned in May 2020. The Veteran testified that his current right shoulder disability was a result of an in-service injury. See May 2020 Hearing Transcript. A statement was submitted on the Veteran’s behalf by a shipmate who acknowledged the Veteran hurt his right shoulder in July 2014 when he heard the Veteran yell in pain and saw him clutching his shoulder. In August 2017, Veteran reported for a VA examination where he was diagnosed with a right shoulder strain. The examiner indicated the history was suggestive of a self-reduced dislocation of the glenohumeral joint, but did not offer an opinion as to whether the current shoulder strain was related to the in-service injury. Therefore, a remand is necessary for a medical opinion. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: The claims file should be sent to a medical examiner to offer an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the current right shoulder disability onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, to include the fall while cleaning between pipes while stationed onboard the USS Houston. In offering the opinion, the examiner is asked to consider the February 2018 buddy statement from Mr. J.F. The need for an examination is left to the discretion of the examiner. A rationale for all opinions offered is requested as adjudicators are precluded from making any medical findings. Nathan Kroes Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Jarman, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.