The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of cranial nerve, claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the face, is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with TBI prior to November 20, 2019, and from that date onwards, are both denied in terms of initial ratings.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a current diagnosis of cranial nerve neuropathy or any other chronic condition related to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms have been attributed to non-service-related factors such as psychogenic causes and previous trauma.
- Claimed conditions
- Neuropathy of Cranial Nerve (Peripheral Neuropathy of the Face), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Traumatic Brain Injury
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21032153
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 21032153.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's SMC at the N1/2 rate is granted, and he is also eligible for SMC(r)(1) based on his existing SMC(k) and SMC(o). The appeal regarding entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) has not been resolved.
- Granted
The Board granted restoration of the 70% disability rating for PTSD with TBI and also granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with TBI was dismissed because the proposed reduction in rating from 30 percent to 0 percent for a headache disability was not an appealable final decision. The Board also denied the claim for a higher rating for PTSD with TBI.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD with TBI and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) because of concurrent elections. The Veteran did not have a permanent total service-connected disability prior to April 12, 2021.
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