The Veteran's blepharospasm symptoms more nearly approximated severe convulsive tics as of September 18, 2012. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for this condition starting from that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left eye spasms were shown to be productive of subjective complaints of unpredictable and frequent left eye spasms which caused the left eye to close for up to three minutes, resulting in functional impairment such as decreased ability to see, read, and drive. These symptoms more closely approximated severe convulsive tics.
- Claimed conditions
- blepharospasm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 10, 2022
- Citation
- 22007779
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 22007779.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right eye hemifacial spasm and blepharospam, finding that his symptoms resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected eye disability (blepharospasm, PCIOL, photophobia, and conjunctival scar superior under lid, left eye) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of compliance with previous requests for additional development. The Veteran's blepharospasm is being reviewed again as part of this process.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected distortion/asymmetry of the eyes, visual impairment, and cranial nerve impairments associated with blepharospasm. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
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