Citation Nr: 21040243 Decision Date: 07/02/21 Archive Date: 07/02/21 DOCKET NO. 15-39 394 DATE: July 2, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for right shoulder pain is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral wrist pain is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served in the United States Army from November 1976 to June 1992 and January 2003 to March 2004. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a May 2014 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). This matter was previously before the Board in March 2019. At this time, the Board issued a remand for the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulders, bilateral wrists, erectile dysfunction, bodily rashes, and headaches. In the July 2020 rating decisions, the RO granted service connection for left shoulder, eczema, migraine headaches, and erectile dysfunction. Therefore, the only claims currently before the Board are service connection for right shoulder pain and bilateral wrist pain. 1. Right Shoulder Pain While the Board regrets further delay, the Board finds a remand is warranted for further development. Specifically, the Board finds that a new VA medical opinion is necessary. In accordance with the March 2019 Board remand, a new VA examination and medical opinion was completed in November 2019. Here, the examiner noted only the Veteran's left shoulder disability and did not address the Veteran's right shoulder pain. The record contains consistent reports of right shoulder pain along with medical treatment for his right shoulder pain. While the November 2019 VA examination failed to provide a right shoulder diagnosis, the Board finds the examiner failed to address the Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability. The Board notes that where pain alone results in functional impairment, even if there is no identifying underlying diagnosis, it can constitute a disability. As such, the Board finds a remand is necessary to determine whether the Veteran has a current right shoulder disability and to obtain a new VA medical opinion. 2. Bilateral wrist Unfortunately, the Board finds a remand is warranted for the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral wrist pain for further development. Specifically, the Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical opinion. The Board finds the November 2019 VA medical opinion is inadequate. Here, the examiner noted that there is 'credible historic evidence provided by the Veteran and clinical evidence" that the Veteran's bilateral wrist pain are not related to his service in southwest Asia. Specifically, the examiner noted that the Veteran stated his wrist condition began three years prior to this evaluation. See November 2019 VA Gulf War General Medical Examination Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). The Board finds the VA examiner's rationalization to be inadequate. Specifically, the Veteran filed his claim for bilateral wrist pain in April 2013, more than three years prior to the November 2019 VA examination. In support of the claim, the appellate brief states that the Veteran's repetitive motions of his hands and wrist during service as a generation equipment repairer caused his bilateral wrist pain. The VA examiner failed to consider the Veteran's lay statements when making his medical opinion. As such, the Board finds a remand is warranted to obtain a new VA medical opinion. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain and associate with the claims file any outstanding VA medical treatment records. 2. Then, the RO should obtain a new VA medical opinion for the claim for service connection for right shoulder pain. An in-person examination is not necessary unless the examiner determines it must be conducted to address the questions below. The examiner is asked to specifically address the following, with a rationale provided: A current diagnosis for any right shoulder condition which may be manifested at any time during the period on appeal, including any complaints of pain that result in a functional impairment. The examiner should note that pain alone results in functional impairment, even if there is no identifying underlying diagnosis, can constitute a disability. Whether any diagnosed right shoulder condition is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) is etiologically related to service. 3. Then, the RO should obtain a new VA medical opinion for the claim for service connection for bilateral wrist pain. An in-person examination is not necessary unless the examiner determines it must be conducted to address the questions below. The examiner is asked to specifically address the following, with a rationale provided: A current diagnosis for any bilateral wrist condition which may be manifested at any time during the period on appeal, including any complaints of pain that result in a functional impairment. The examiner should note that pain alone results in functional impairment, even if there is no identifying underlying diagnosis, can constitute a disability. Whether any diagnosed bilateral wrist condition is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) is etiologically related to service. The examiner should consider the Veteran's lay statement contained in the record, to include the June 2021 appellate brief. K. Anderson Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Glaeser, Jennifer 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.