Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2015

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain the Veteran's VA medical records from 1991 to 2011 and to schedule him for a new examination. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for anxiety disorder and service connection for low back, eustachian tube dysfunction, and seizure disorders. The claims were also denied for TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The Board found no current chronic seizure disorder and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The issue of muscle spasms on the right side is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizures, headaches, and hepatitis C are not related to service or any other factor. Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and seizure disorder, as well as a TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional Social Security Administration records and treatment records.

The Veteran's son, C.M.C., has been diagnosed with partial complex epilepsy, cerebral injury, spasticity and impaired vision. However, he was not shown to have been permanently incapable of self-support by reason of a mental or physical condition prior to reaching the age of 18.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 80 percent, and the evidence indicates that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board is considering multiple claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims. The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic pain due to burns, depressive neurosis, seizure disorder, and chronic sleep disorder are all under review.

The Board has granted effective dates of March 11, 2008 for service connection of carpal pedal spasms in both the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied seizure disorder (now diagnosed as carpal pedal spasms) is considered moot.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed conditions, but has remanded the issues of secondary service connection and rating assignment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any meningitis and seizures found to be present. The examiner must also opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the meningitis or seizures are related to service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for stroke and seizure, which are secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder claimed as secondary to head trauma will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for tinnitus, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal of these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examination reports.

The Veteran's partial complex seizures have been rated as 40 percent since August 12, 2014. The Board has found that the evidence supports a higher rating for the period prior to August 12, 2014.

The Veteran's left wrist disorder is service-connected as it was caused by his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis. His seizure disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and other medications, including those for his knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected seizure disorder did not prevent him from initiating or completing his chosen program of education between April 1997 and April 2007. As a result, his request for an extension beyond the delimiting date was denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a seizure disorder due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.