Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2013

The Board found no evidence of a seizure disorder, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension in service and denied the claims for these conditions as they are not related to service. The claim for liver disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and seizure disorder, are found to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU effective December 30, 2004.

The Board has found that the Veteran's seizure disorder, which is manifested by a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy with a history of seizures, warrants an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. However, due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his current symptomatology and lack of objective evidence supporting higher ratings, the claim for increased evaluation was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing, and will not make any decision on the merits until further proceedings are completed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current symptoms, including concussion, seizures, headaches, syncope, dizziness, memory loss, and mini-strokes, are not related to his in-service head injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, seizure disorder (secondary to bronchial asthma), and chronic heart disease (secondary to bronchial asthma) are being remanded due to the need for further review by the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. He requested rescheduling due to hospitalization, and the Board finds this reasonable.

The Board finds that the Veteran's seizure disorder was incurred in service and is presumed to have existed prior to service. The other claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's seizure disorder, memory impairment, high blood pressure, asthma, and headaches for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability, residuals of a right ankle sprain, and seizure disorder due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board finds that July 2, 2001 is the appropriate date for the grant of entitlement to TDIU. The effective date should have been the date of claim (August 14, 2003), but was instead set at July 2, 2001, which is earlier than the date of claim.

The Board finds that July 2, 2001 is the appropriate date for the grant of entitlement to TDIU. The effective date should have been the date of claim (August 14, 2003), but was instead set at July 2, 2001, which is earlier than the date of claim.

The Veteran is granted a higher level of payment for his educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, now at the 100 percent level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current conditions (hypertension, brain seizures, cystitis, multiple joint pains, knee disorder and hemorrhage seizure) are not related to his military service or any service-connected disability. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cephalgia (headaches) as due to an undiagnosed illness is granted. The claim for syncopal episodes (claimed as seizures) remains pending and requires further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left bunion surgery residuals, a broken left ankle, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, female/gynecological condition (to include residuals of a tubal ligation; and a hysterectomy and/or residuals thereof), seizure disorder, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed seizures and spells, including neurocardiogenic syncope. The case will be remanded for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current seizure disorder is not causally related to his in-service head injury, and thus does not warrant service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a seizure disorder, which he claims is due to undiagnosed illness from his military service. The case has been remanded to obtain private treatment records and provide the Veteran with proper notice before considering his claim.