Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his active service and denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing petit mal epilepsy did not worsen during service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for seizure disorder and skin disability, resulting in a denial of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizures and blackouts, which first manifested many years after his service separation, are not related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder and fibromyalgia were not incurred in or aggravated by her active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, mood disorder, and depression, were denied. The claim for increased rating for the thoracic spine disability was also denied.

The Board has granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected idiopathic seizure disorder, effective from March 31, 2009. The Veteran's condition is characterized by minor seizures occurring once per week.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic seizure disorder is presumed to have been incurred during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's epilepsy disability rating was increased to 40 percent effective January 13, 2009. The claim for service connection for depressive disorder secondary to epilepsy remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder is not etiologically related to his period of active military service, including presumptively.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a seizure disorder and memory loss, which he claims are related to his pain medication. He also seeks service connection for a left shoulder injury that occurred during a seizure. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has denied reopening the claim of service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that the evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including an examination and readjudication of his claims. The issues include entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, as well as increased disability ratings for dysthymic disorder, mucous colitis (irritable bowel syndrome), epilepsy, and service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating from January 1, 2007 is 60 percent. The medical evidence does not demonstrate that his service-connected epilepsy, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, L5-S1 degenerative disc disease, and tinnitus alone render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic seizure disorder is etiologically related to his service, including head injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has restored the appellant's seizure disorder disability rating from 20% to 80%, effective August 1, 2008. The VA is now required to consider his claim for an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for cause of death, but it is not clear whether the Veteran's seizure disorder contributed substantially and materially to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's April 2007 stroke and seizures, including whether they are related to his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension or anti-coagulant medication for peripheral vascular disease.

The Board denied service connection for epilepsy, as the Veteran's pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service. The claims of service connection for residuals of an in-service injury to the right side of the body and a head injury were also denied.