Question
each year there is some browning on the inside but this year seems worse. also, some trees have some browning on the outer branches. is this normal?

Answer
It could be one of two things Seiridium Canker and Twig Dieback or Botryosphaeria (Bot) Canker. The inner needles shedding is normal but needles on the outer parts of branches indicate something is wrong. Here is a web link that describes the two most common problems and their control. You will have to determine which you have from the descriptions. http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B1229.htm