The Veteran's claim for a restored rating of 10% for his left shoulder scar is granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and the issue remains pending. Service connection for neck disorder (cervical pseudoarthrosis and cervical spine arthritis) as secondary to left shoulder disability is granted. Service connection for cervical radiculopathy on the left side as secondary to the neck condition is also granted. The claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his service-connected left shoulder disability, meeting the criteria for secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Scar, status post stab wound left shoulder, Sleep apnea, Neck disorder (cervical pseudoarthrosis and cervical spine arthritis), Cervical radiculopathy, left side, Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, type II
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20055777
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20055777.
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 claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
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