The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of blepharospasm and cervical dystonia/spasmodic torticollis are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing their onset in service or association with herbicide exposure. The VA expert concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support a link between Agent Orange exposure and the Veteran's condition.
The deciding factor: The VA expert found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his presumed exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- blepharospasm, cervical dystonia/spasmodic torticollis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2011
- Citation
- 1104183
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 1104183.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right eye hemifacial spasm and blepharospam, finding that his symptoms resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected eye disability (blepharospasm, PCIOL, photophobia, and conjunctival scar superior under lid, left eye) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.
- Granted
The Veteran's blepharospasm symptoms more nearly approximated severe convulsive tics as of September 18, 2012. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for this condition starting from that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of compliance with previous requests for additional development. The Veteran's blepharospasm is being reviewed again as part of this process.
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