Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for epilepsy is granted, and the issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury to include seizures is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the reduction of his disability rating for TBI from 40 percent to non-compensable was not proper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, seizure disorder with narcolepsy (as a residual of TBI), left upper extremity weakness, left lower extremity weakness, left hip disability as a residual of TBI, visual field defects due to status post craniotomy for subdural hematoma, and post-concussive headaches and localized neuritic head pain associated with TBI are all rated based on their individual merits.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. The issue of TDIU is also being remanded as it derives from the underlying increased rating appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of seizures. Service connection is granted for COPD including emphysema, and the case is remanded for further evaluation on issues related to tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for headaches and meningioma with grand mal epilepsy were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for headaches or an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for meningioma with grand mal epilepsy prior to October 11, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for VA special mode transportation benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of local guidelines. The Veteran needs a VHA clinician examination to determine if he requires a special mode of transportation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and seizure disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's seizure disorder is related to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The case will be returned for a VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, stroke residuals, and seizure disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the claim for sleep apnea due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claims for major depressive disorder, seizure disorder, and increased ratings for burn scars and pseudofolliculitis are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, sleep apnea, skin disability, and seizure disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or any form of presumptive service connection.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disorder, disorders of the lower extremities, and a disorder manifested by seizures due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 13, 2009 is being remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of frostbite of both feet were denied as the evidence did not show a current disability and there was no indication that the cold injury during service caused any residual disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of frostbite of the right foot was denied. The evidence showed that the cold injury resolved prior to separation from service, and there is no indication that it caused any current disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of frostbite of the left foot was denied. Similar to the right foot, the evidence did not show a current disability and there was no indication that the cold injury during service caused any residual disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury was denied as he does not have a currently diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's claims for eye disability (presumed refractive errors) and seizure disorder were denied. The evidence did not show a current disability or indicate that the conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy with cognitive complications is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied because there is no evidence of additional disability resulting from VA treatment, and the Board finds that any potential complications were not due to negligence or unforeseeable events.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's stroke, right knee disorder, and seizures.

The Veteran's seizure disorder, anxiety disorders, tinnitus, and headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected TBI.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.