Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's duodenal ulcer disease and seizure/syncopal episode disorder were not related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head trauma, brain scar, seizures, optic neuritis, neuropathy of bilateral hands and feet, restless leg syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia as there was no competent medical evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to her active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and scheduling a VA Traumatic Brain Injury examination.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence, including insufficient medical evidence linking the veteran's death to his service-connected epilepsy or to a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis within the presumptive period.

The veteran does not have any residuals of a stroke/cerebrovascular accident, to include left-sided hemiparesis, seizures, and transient global amnesia, that are the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found no evidence to support a causal relationship between the veteran's seizure disorder and his participation in Project SHAD, or any other incident of service. The claim was denied.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA appeal records and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a psychiatric disability and a seizure disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran had a pre-existing seizure disorder prior to service, but also noted that there was no increase in severity during service. The presumption of soundness at entry into service is rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of a head injury with memory loss, neck disorder, left wrist and ankle disorders, anxiety disorder, chest disorder, seizure disorder, and gunshot wound to the left arm, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's seizure disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a seizure disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a seizure disorder, previously denied in May 1999. The case is being returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and eligibility for DEA benefits due to lack of evidence linking the veteran's fatal brain disease to his military service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 100 percent for the veteran's service-connected seizure disorder, effective April 8, 2006.

The veteran's seizure disorder has been rated at 100 percent since April 12, 2002. The effective date for this rating remains under appeal. Additionally, the veteran is seeking a TDIU prior to April 12, 2002, which also remains under appeal.

The veteran's eligibility for future fee-basis dental care was denied as the VA facilities are now capable of providing the necessary services.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seizure disorder is related to head trauma in service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.