The Board denied service connection for hemifacial spasm and diverticulosis / diverticulitis disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to active service.,Both conditions were deemed unrelated to the Veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current hemifacial spasm and diverticulosis / diverticulitis disabilities to his active service, including lack of in-service complaints or treatment for these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- hemifacial spasm, diverticulosis / diverticulitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20025660
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 20025660.
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 has determined that the VA opinions obtained in this case are inadequate and not compliant with the September 2024 Board remand directives. Therefore, additional remand for adequate VA opinions is necessary prior to adjudication.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a need for additional development, including new examinations and obtaining private medical records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cardiovascular condition claimed as hypertension and migraine due to unclear factual premises in previous opinions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hemifacial spasm as secondary to the veteran's service-connected residuals of a cervical spine injury. The RO also continued the initial 20 percent rating for major depression.
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