Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's syncope and seizure disorder did not have onset during service or until many years thereafter, and are not related to service. The claims for left knee and right knee disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine the nature and etiology of his lower back disability. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's chronic daily use of antiepileptic medications for his service-connected grand mal epilepsy aided or lent assistance in causing death, specifically prostate cancer. The Board finds that this meets the criteria for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pulmonary embolism, epilepsy (claimed as seizures due to car accident), and a left hip condition are all pending. The claim for pulmonary embolism is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's death was caused by a seizure disorder and Parkinson's disease, neither of which were service-connected.,There are no accrued benefits due to the Veteran as he had not filed any claims at the time of his death.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected seizure disorder beginning June 1, 2006, and ending December 13, 2009.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the Board found no link between his conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have meningitis and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for seizure disorder and granted service connection. The Veteran's CAD is rated at 10 percent prior to October 22, 2009, and 60 percent thereafter. The TDIU issue remains pending as does the earlier effective date for permanent incapacity for self-support of the Veteran's daughter.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, with the effective date being from the date of receipt of his application. The combined disability rating is at least 70% due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder or neurological disorder manifested by memory loss and tremors. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these symptoms were incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, benign tumors (fatty tumors), a seizure disorder, and a bilateral upper extremity disorder. However, the claim for residuals of an asserted in-service traumatic brain injury with migraine headaches and a seizure disorder is denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's seizure disorder was not shown to be due to his military service, including exposure to environmental hazards. The Board found that the seizure disorder did not meet the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 and denied the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder existed prior to service and did not show evidence of aggravation during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 28, 2012, for the initial grants of service connection for PTSD, seizure disorder, and TBI.

The Veteran's epilepsy was developed within a year of discharge from service and is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current migraine headaches, arthritis of the cervical spine, and seizures with his military service. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide his claims. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling examinations, and considering the evidence in the electronic claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran's injury occurred in the line of duty during active service and was not due to his own willful misconduct, thus granting service connection for skull fracture with seizure disorder, with loss of smell and taste.