Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, major depressive disorder, epilepsy, and TBI due to radiation exposure. The claims will be further developed with new examinations and verification of service-related exposures.

The Veteran's increased rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury manifested by headaches with dizziness is granted from October 30, 2008. A separate 10 percent disability rating is granted for an associated seizure disorder from March 1, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder and Seizure Disorder, Grand Mal Type render him unemployable, allowing for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and remanded them for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death, ventricular fibrillation and non-convulsive seizure, is not service-connected. The Board denied the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to a total rating being in effect for less than 10 years.

The Veteran's tremors are found to be a symptom of his service-connected grand mal seizures, and the Board has granted secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain. The issues of service connection for seizures, left temporal lobe disorder, memory loss, and vision problems are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for seizure disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's residuals of meningioma, thyroid cysts, right hand seizures, and neuropathy of the lower extremities are all service connected as direct service connection. The Board also granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus partially contributed to his weight gain, which aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board granted service connection for OSA as secondary to these conditions. However, the Veteran does not have a current seizure disability that is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's idiopathic generalized epilepsy is granted service connection. The issue of service connection for memory loss as secondary to his epilepsy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's epilepsy and its impact on his employability. The rating assigned and effective date are not provided as this is an appeal regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury with residuals, chronic myositis of the para-cervical and para-lumbar spine muscles, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, absence seizures, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, including any National Guard or Reserve service, and all updated treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's seizure disability and major depressive disorder are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 70% rating for his major depressive disorder prior to July 15, 2015. He also receives TDIU benefits prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including seizure disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 21, 2003 for the grant of service connection for epilepsy and seizure disorder was denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to March 15, 2011 was also denied. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or permanent housebound status is pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a head injury with seizures due to insufficient examination and treatment records, as well as potential aggravation from a motor vehicle accident. The case will be reviewed after obtaining additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a grand mal seizure disability and granted it as the evidence shows that the condition is related to an in-service electrical injury.

The Veteran's nonepileptic seizures are rated at 40 percent, and his headaches and low back disability each receive a separate 10 percent rating. The Board denied an increased rating for nonepileptic seizures and found no basis to grant separate ratings for the Veteran's headaches and low back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral chronic conjunctivitis and epilepsy have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of sinus disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence or need for further examination.