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Whole decision: Denied

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected fracture of the left zygoma and orbital floor, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not support a higher rating as the symptoms were primarily episodic sharp pain and numbness in the second division of the left cranial nerve.

The deciding factor: The objective findings on the neurological examination did not support a higher rating based on more severe incomplete paralysis or tic douloureux, which is rated separately under Diagnostic Code 8405.

Claimed conditions
Fracture of the left zygoma and orbital floor
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
September 2, 2003
Citation
0322108

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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0322108.

What this means for you

A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.

What you can do next

Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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