The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Bell's palsy (claimed as facial paralysis) due to new and material evidence submitted since the April 2003 rating decision. The Veteran's current diagnosis is Bell's palsy, which existed prior to his active duty service from March 1980 to January 1981. There is no clear and unmistakable evidence that Bell's palsy was aggravated by service or related to any period of ACDUTRA. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found new and material evidence in the form of statements from the Veteran's service comrade and testimony during his RO hearing indicating that the Veteran's Bell's palsy either began or was aggravated during his active duty service. The VA physician's April 2003 opinion, however, concluded that Bell's palsy existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bell's palsy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2014
- Citation
- 1414697
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 1414697.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right hip pain, muscle spasms, Bell's palsy, trouble breathing, and shaving profile/skin condition are all granted service connection. However, the claims for muscle spasms, Bell's palsy, trouble breathing, and shaving profile/skin condition were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, as it is unclear whether his condition is due to his service-connected Bell's palsy and/or right eyelid scar. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for Bell's palsy and remanded the low back, radiculopathy, elbow, knee, and pes planus claims due to incomplete records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Bell's palsy, right eye disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to a failure to address if VA satisfied its duty to assist by obtaining private treatment records from Dr. O's office.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.