Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues include reopening his claim of service connection for sterility and various other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, including headaches, seizures, blackouts and blurred vision, as well as depression secondary to the same. The decision found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions likely existed prior to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including epilepsy and periodontal disease resulting from dilantin hyperplasia, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding Social Security Administration records and other necessary actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, are not related to service or exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special home adaptation grant due to his blindness in both eyes or loss of use of both hands.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a seizure disorder due to new and material evidence submitted by the Appellant. However, the criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits have not been met as the Appellant's service does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements.,A VA neurological examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Appellant's seizure disorder(s).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly pension are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records, including SSA disability determination and personnel file. A VA examination is also required.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a seizure disorder. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining Navy Reserve records and VA treatment records, is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of clear and unmistakable error in his initial 40 percent rating for grand mal epilepsy, finding that the evidence did not clearly and unmistakably show more than one major seizure per month over any given year.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently have a seizure disorder and thus, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizure and cervical spine disorders are related to his service-connected head wounds, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's son, K. L. L., was not shown to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday and is therefore not recognized as the 'helpless child' of the Veteran.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred for emergency medical services provided at a non-VA facility on January 14, 2009 were denied as he did not receive prior authorization and the treatment was not related to a service-connected condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to timely file a substantive appeal, despite a statement of the case having been provided in October 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's grand mal seizures are not related to his military service and have denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's chronic disability exhibited by headaches was not incurred or aggravated in service. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to active duty.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and the claim of secondary service connection for alcohol abuse with residual seizure disorder is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to exposure to Agent Orange. The seizure disorder is also not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is seeking payment or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred at various hospitals due to a seizure and cerebral edema. The VAMC denied the claim, but on remand, further clarification of service-connected disabilities and eligibility for coverage will be needed.