The Veteran's neurological disability of the face, including Bell's palsy and trigeminal neuralgia, is etiologically related to service. The claim for hypertension is remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current manifestations were different from those while in service but did not provide a medical nexus opinion as to whether his claimed hypertension was caused or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Bell's palsy, trigeminal neuralgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22043579
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 22043579.
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 Veteran's right hip pain, muscle spasms, Bell's palsy, trouble breathing, and shaving profile/skin condition are all granted service connection. However, the claims for muscle spasms, Bell's palsy, trouble breathing, and shaving profile/skin condition were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, as it is unclear whether his condition is due to his service-connected Bell's palsy and/or right eyelid scar. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skull injury/traumatic brain injury and trigeminal neuralgia, finding that there is no current disability related to active service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.
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