The Board has remanded the case for a rating higher than 10 percent for Bell’s Palsy from August 30, 2000 and for consideration of TDIU. The Veteran is also requested to provide any outstanding VA or private treatment records.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's sleep symptoms associated with service-connected Bell’s palsy and the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Bell’s Palsy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19195819
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 19195819.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for Bell’s Palsy, claimed as a nervous condition, is granted. The Board found that the current neurological symptoms are related to his in-service symptoms and finds service connection warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's Bell’s Palsy is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Service connection for OSA is granted based on in-service onset and current diagnosis.,Service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is granted due to in-service onset and current diagnosis.,Service connection for MDD, with anxious distress, is granted based on in-service onset and current diagnosis.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for adjustment disorder with anxiety was denied, and his service-connected condition is currently rated at 70 percent.,Service connection for Bell’s Palsy was also denied. The Veteran's current diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy did not manifest during active service and is not related to his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety.
- Granted
The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea.,The Veteran's sinus tumors, chronic cysts on the back, and Bell’s Palsy are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.
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.