Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and a seizure disorder as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and seizure disorder are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for seizure disorder with memory loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The claim for anxiety disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% evaluation for tonic-clonic seizures or grand mal (previously rated as seizure disorder) is granted, effective from May 4, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and need for further development, including consideration of Persian Gulf Service considerations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and a search of National Guard service treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, but denied his claims for service connection for right leg disorder, headaches, and seizure disorder. The claim for a back disorder is granted as new evidence supports its relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for ventral hernia, seizures, pain in the upper extremities, and pain in the lower extremities as they are not found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and needs further clarification of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder with recurrent anxiety and a panic disorder without agoraphobia is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and an increased rating for seizure disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to support a secondary relationship to diabetes.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the Board denied dependency and indemnity compensation based on this finding.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a seizure disorder, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lupus and a seizure disorder. For lupus, there is no evidence of current diagnosis or preexisting condition that was aggravated by service. For the seizure disorder, the Veteran's history of childhood seizures resolved before active duty but returned during ACDUTRA, which does not apply to presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disability and other health issues. The decision also denied reopening of a claim for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a seizure disorder and increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder with PTSD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected psychiatric disorders and his claimed conditions. The VA will obtain additional evidence, arrange for an examination, and consider whether 'staged rating' is appropriate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for seizure disorder and migraine headaches due to additional development needs.

The appeal of the service connection claim for a brain abscess is dismissed.,The appeal of the increased rating claim for tinnitus is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been presented, and the claims of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder are reopened.,New and material evidence has been presented, and the claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C are reopened.,A rating of 40 percent for a seizure disorder is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,The appeal of the service connection claim for fatigue disorder is remanded.,The appeal of the service connection claim for liver disorder is remanded.,The appeal of the service connection claim for digestive disorder is remanded.,The appeal of the service connection claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear notification of potential evidentiary sources for verifying an in-service personal assault, and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to clarify the diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the low back disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and seizure disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's death, which is related to his cardiovascular disabilities and exposure to engine fumes during service.