The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded several other issues, including the need for updated examinations to determine the severity of his thumb fracture, testicle wound, and gunshot scars, as well as an examination to assess the nature and etiology of disabilities in his right hand.
The deciding factor: The Veteran provided new evidence that related to previously unestablished facts necessary to substantiate his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Board found that there was credible evidence showing the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, as well as a nexus between the claimed disability and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Disability, Right Thumb Fracture, Wound to the Right Testicle, Gunshot Wounds Scars, Disabilities of Middle Finger, Ring Finger, and Knuckles of the Right Hand
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20005158
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a low back disability, a left knee disability, and a left shoulder disability as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were incurred in or caused by the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and higher initial ratings for psychiatric, left shoulder, right hand tremors, left hand tremors, and allergic rhinitis disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating of 50 percent from July 28, 2023. Other claims for increased ratings were denied.
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