The Veteran's bilateral hip strain, left ankle degenerative arthritis and strain, and right ankle strain have been granted service connection.,Bell's palsy has not met the criteria for an initial rating higher than 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology related to Bell's palsy in service, leading to denial of a higher initial rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hip Strain, Left Ankle Degenerative Arthritis and Strain, Right Ankle Strain, Bell's Palsy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22011678
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 22011678.
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
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(n 1/2) rate, but no higher, prior to January 25, 2019 and from March 1, 2019, due to his service-connected depressive disorder alone causing him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.
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