Citation Nr: 22051262
Decision Date: 09/09/22	Archive Date: 09/09/22

DOCKET NO. 17-52 736
DATE: September 9, 2022

REMANDED

Service connection for left shoulder impingement and tendonitis syndrome.

Service connection for right shoulder impingement and tendonitis syndrome.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran claims that service connection is warranted because he experienced bilateral shoulder soreness as a result of carrying his heavy pack when he was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the alternative, he claimed that the shoulder disorders are secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. 

The Veteran submitted a February 2016 Disability Benefits Questionnaire which discussed current diagnoses and medical history as relevant to a bilateral shoulder disorder but did not provide a nexus between the disorders and service.

A July 2016 VA examiner diagnosed bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis and found that they were less likely than not proximately due to or the result of a cervical spine disability but did not provide an opinion as to direct service connection. As such, remand is required to obtain such an opinion.

The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Obtain and associate with the claims file any outstanding, relevant VA and private treatment records.

2. Direct the claims file to a clinician to address the following:

	What is the medical probability (that is, likelihood is at least approximately balanced or nearly equal, or higher) that left and right shoulder impingement and tendonitis syndrome initially diagnosed in July 2016 are related to carrying his heavy pack when the Veteran was deployed from April 2003 to March 2004?

In formulating the opinion, the clinician is asked to consider i) the Veteran's lay statements that he experienced bilateral shoulder pain in service, ii) an October 2006 VA treatment record reflecting that he injured his neck in a fall while in Bagdad and had some pain radiating to his arms periodically, especially at night, and iii) his testimony that he experienced bilateral shoulder pain as a result of carrying his heavy pack when he was deployed. 

It would be helpful to the Board if the clinician could explain why the medical evidence is either consistent with or inconsistent with a finding that bilateral shoulder impingement and tendonitis is related to carrying a heavy pack, including whether the Veteran's reports about his symptoms align with how shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis is known to develop.

The rationale for any opinion expressed must be provided, including any referenced to medical literature reviewed.

3. An examination need not be scheduled unless the clinician cannot answer the question presented without one.

 

 

L. HOWELL

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	T. Grzeczkowicz 

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.