Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, seizure disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 80 percent, and he has service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board granted the claims for these conditions based on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence supporting his assertions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for epilepsy due to withdrawal by the appellant. The claims for diabetes mellitus, back disability, allergies, hemorrhoids, and hepatitis C have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for granuloma of the left lung is pending and has not been decided.,The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's PTSD claim, finding that his PTSD was caused by in-service assault. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's initiation of an appeal regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and DIC, as well as the need to determine if she is recognized as a substitute for the Veteran's claim. The claims will be reconsidered in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a seizure disorder was denied. The Board found that the preexisting psychiatric disorder did not aggravate during service and was not caused by service. For the seizure disorder, there is no evidence of its onset in service or any other presumptive basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder, to include as a residual of malaria or exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of the delimiting date and retroactive award of educational assistance benefits was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his completion of the apprenticeship program in carpentry.

The Board has granted service connection for epilepsy, but the issue of tinnitus remains under review due to inadequate examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's syncopal episodes/blackout spells are a chronic disability and were present during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's seizure disorder was incurred in or worsened due to his military service, and whether it is as likely as not that the condition existed prior to service.

The Veteran's syncopal attacks, seizures, nervous condition, and head trauma are not considered to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and a skin disorder, to include boils.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the current seizure disorder was less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder separation and seizure disorder are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no changes in rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a medical examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability involving hearing loss or other conditions in service or for years following service discharge. The hiatal hernia preexisted service and was aggravated by an inservice injury.