Citation Nr: 20026028 Decision Date: 04/15/20 Archive Date: 04/15/20 DOCKET NO. 19-30 129 DATE: April 15, 2020 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for rotator cuff tear, left upper extremity is granted. FINDING OF FACT The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s rotator cuff tear, left upper extremity is related to active service. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for rotator cuff tear, left upper extremity have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty from June 2010 to March 2014. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2018 rating decision by a Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Entitlement to service connection for rotator cuff tear, left upper extremity Service connection may be granted for a disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military, naval, or air service. 38 U.S.C. § 1131; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303 (a). Service connection may be granted for any disease initially diagnosed after service when all the evidence, including that pertinent to service, establishes that the disease was incurred in service. 38 C.F.R. § 3.303 (d). Service connection for a disability requires evidence of: (1) a current disability; (2) a disease or injury in service, and; (3) a relationship or nexus between the current disability and any injury or disease during service. Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163 (Fed. Cir. 2004). The Veteran asserts that his currently diagnosed upper left extremity rotator cuff tear was the result of an in-service fall from a tank. Medical treatment records document a torn rotator cuff of the left shoulder. Service treatment records note the Veteran fell off a tank during service resulting in a left wrist fracture which required surgical treatment. Element (1) and (2) of Shedden are met. What remains is a nexus. In March 2019, Dr. L.B., M.D. and S.Mc., Pa-C co-authored a medical report. They opined that the Veteran’s in-service injury caused his left upper extremity rotator cuff tear. They reviewed the Veteran’s records and noted that he wore a wrist brace for six months, complained of left upper extremity pain, and complained of intermittent left should pain after leaving service. They explained that the Veteran experienced a classic FOOSH (fell on outstretched hand) which impacts the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The report indicates that the Veteran’s shoulder injury was overlooked because his fractured wrist took priority. The Board finds the private medical opinion to be well rationalized against the evidence of record. (Continued on the next page)   Acknowledgement is given to the October 2018 report wherein an examiner opined against the Veteran’s claims. The Board finds this opinion no more or less probative than the positive private medical opinion. Given the above, the Board finds that service connection for rotator cuff tear, left upper extremity is warranted. Jennifer White Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Mohammad Mahmoudi, Associate Counsel 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.