The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for Bell's palsy, left side cranial nerve VII, residual of head trauma after finding that the reduction from 20% to 10% was not proper due to lack of material improvement in symptoms.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a material improvement in the Veteran’s Bell's palsy symptoms since the January 2003 examination upon which the rating was originally based.
- Claimed conditions
- Bell's palsy, left side cranial nerve VII, residual of head trauma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 10, 2020
- Citation
- A20016734
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 A20016734.
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).
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