The Veteran's service-connected blepharospasm is rated at 30 percent, the highest available under VA rating criteria.,The Veteran's service-connected spasmodic dysphonia is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the necessary criteria for a higher rating based on her symptoms.,The Veteran's service-connected spasmodic torticollis of the cervical spine with degenerative arthritis is also rated at 10 percent, which is the highest available under VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's blepharospasm disability does not warrant a higher rating or extraschedular consideration as her symptoms are currently considered mild to moderate.,For spasmodic dysphonia, there is no evidence of hoarseness with thickening or nodules of cords, polyps, submucous infiltration, or pre-malignant changes on biopsy. The Veteran's current symptomatology does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 6516.,For spasmodic torticollis, there is no evidence of severe symptoms warranting a higher rating under DC 8103. The Veteran's neurologist has consistently described her condition as mild to moderate.
- Claimed conditions
- Blepharospasm, Spasmodic Dysphonia, Spasmodic Torticollis of the Cervical Spine with Degenerative Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2017
- Citation
- 1755092
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1755092.
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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for OSA and spasmodic dysphonia to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left eye disability, which is presumed to be related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's corneal transplant to the right eye did not require at least one month of convalescence and did not result in severe post-operative residuals such as incompletely healed surgical wounds, stumps of recent amputations, therapeutic immobilization of a joint or more, application of a body cast, or the necessity for house confinement. Therefore, his claim for a temporary total rating is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder. Additionally, the Board has also granted compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for blepharospasm caused by VA treatment.
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