The Veteran's claims for left eye lagophthalmos, bilateral dry eye syndrome, and left epiphora were granted with a separate 10% rating. Separate ratings of 20%, 30%, and 20% were assigned for severe incomplete paralysis of the right fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal), severe incomplete paralysis of the left fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal), and severe incomplete paralysis of the right seventh cranial nerve (facial) respectively. The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted based on direct evidence.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supported the Veteran’s diagnoses and ratings, with no new or material evidence presented to reopen his claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Dry Eye Syndrome, Left Epiphora, Left Eye (Unilateral) Lagophthalmos, Severe Incomplete Paralysis of the Left Fifth Cranial Nerve (Trigeminal), Severe Incomplete Paralysis of the Left Seventh Cranial Nerve (Facial), Severe Incomplete Paralysis of the Right Fifth Cranial Nerve (Trigeminal), Severe Incomplete Paralysis of the Right Seventh Cranial Nerve (Facial)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19191735
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,062 · Granted: 34% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19191735.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Granted
The Veteran's hyperthyroidism with bilateral dry eye syndrome is granted an initial 20 percent rating. A separate 30 percent rating for a thyroidectomy scar is also granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for urinary incontinence, anterior prolapse (cystocele), and bilateral dry eye syndrome with a 20% disability rating. The effective date of July 7, 2017 is also granted for the service-connected bilateral dry eye syndrome.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded to the AOJ for further action.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral conjunctivitis with a history of dry eye syndrome is rated at 10 percent from March 4, 2019. A separate and compensable rating of 20 percent for bilateral dry eye syndrome is granted. The Veteran's entitlement to increased ratings for IVDS remains pending.
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.