Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for blackouts and seizures, diabetes mellitus, and a hearing disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings and compensable evaluations for his service-connected disabilities due to his withdrawal of appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current seizure disorder is reasonably associated with his period of active duty, specifically a motor vehicle accident in 1966. The Board granted service connection for the seizure disorder.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for seizure disorder and psychiatric disorder. The case will be returned to the RO for additional examination and review.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legal requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The appellant and his representative will have an additional year to respond to any VCAA notice.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations due to his inability to use lower extremities without aid and lack of blindness or loss of both hands.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the veteran's seizure disorder is related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a seizure disorder and finds that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active military service.

The veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his seizure disorder and TDIU were denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA records and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA neurological examination. The appeal is currently remanded to allow for additional evidence collection and analysis.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, beyond December 21, 2002, as she was not prevented from initiating or completing her chosen program of education by a physical or mental disability that did not result from her own willful misconduct.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and hepatitis C with anxiety, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after discharge.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a psychological disorder as secondary to service-connected eye injury residuals. The decision also addressed other issues such as cranial nerve dysfunction, seizure disorder, back disorder, condition of shoulders and knees, right thumb disorder, and hypnotism.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, which was due to adenocarcinoma of the colon with extensive metastatic liver disease and possible lung metastases, is not related to any service-connected condition. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The appeal is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records, including those from Dr. Perrot and the Pineville neurologist, and to schedule new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a seizure disorder due to a head injury and dementia due to a head injury. The veteran's TDIU claim will be addressed in the remand that follows this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service-connected schizo-affective disorder with PTSD symptoms and seizure disorder. The effective date for the 100% rating for schizo-affective disorder was set as March 2, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's current seizure disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and denied his claim. The Board also did not find new and material evidence to reopen his schizophrenia claim.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, eye problems, back issues, knee disabilities, hypertension, and a cerebrovascular accident. The decision also addressed bilateral pes planus and seizure disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher initial rating for his epilepsy. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.