Facial nerve neuritis

Medical records that document the degree of facial muscle weakness or paralysis are central to supporting a rating. A VA or private examination that measures which facial muscles are affected and how severely — for example, whether you can close your eye, raise your eyebrow, or move your mouth — directly reflects the "relative loss of innervation" language in the rating criteria. Nerve conduction studies or electromyography results showing the extent of nerve damage can help distinguish complete from incomplete paralysis and gauge severity within the incomplete levels. If your symptoms are purely sensory, records noting that absence of motor involvement are relevant, since that limits the rating to moderate at most. Statements from you or people who know you describing how facial weakness affects daily activities — such as difficulty eating, speaking clearly, or protecting your eye — can show functional impact at the moderate or severe incomplete levels.