Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2018

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee disability and seizure disorder was granted, with the left knee rating being 10 percent effective October 7, 2008. The decision also noted that the Veteran has been precluded from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a seizure disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and panic attacks due to lack of VA treatment records from 1979 to October 2008.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for hemorrhoids due to a withdrawal of appeal. The issue of service connection for epilepsy is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds there is new and material evidence to reopen his claims.,Service connection has been granted for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, seizures as secondary to traumatic brain injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (variously diagnosed as alcohol abuse, anxiety, and depression, to include posttraumatic stress disorder) due to incomplete development of evidence and need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, sleep apnea, and seizure disorder are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above claims.

The Veteran's seizure disorder (epilepsy) is related to his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including a seizure disorder, and also denied the Veteran's request for SMC at a level higher than that payable under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k). The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding loss of use of both feet or significant disabilities requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition with residuals of pneumonia and remanded other claims related to respiratory disorders, stroke, seizure disorder, and back disorder. The appeals are pending further development.

The Board has granted service connection for syncopal episodes, possible complex seizures, and atypical migraines. Service connection is denied for hypoglycemia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, seizure disability (episodes), and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a stomach disorder, including ulcers and GERD, as there was no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year after discharge.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, to include as secondary to treatment for prostate cancer, was also denied. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's condition is more likely due to his alcohol and substance abuse.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC benefits were not met.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is granted service connection and he is assigned a 70% disability rating for his generalized anxiety disorder with bipolar disorder. The initial rating prior to September 26, 2017, was granted, while the increased rating as of that date remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder was received on December 27, 1983. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at December 27, 1983.,The Veteran's original claim for service connection for a head tumor with secondary disabilities (scalp scar, seizures, and constipation) was received on March 17, 2010. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at March 17, 2010.,The Veteran's claims for scalp scar, seizures, and constipation are secondary to his head tumor. These conditions were not separately claimed prior to March 17, 2010.,No effective date earlier than March 17, 2010 is granted for the service connection of these secondary disabilities as they are related to the primary disability (head tumor).,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations due to outstanding VA and private medical records not being obtained.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for various conditions are denied as the evidence does not support her contention that these conditions were caused by VA negligence or lack of care.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's headaches, a neurological disability other than seizure disorder, and fatigue are related to his service-connected seizure disorder. However, further examination is needed to clarify the nature of these conditions.