Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colon or colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and a seizure disability due to exposure to asbestos or herbicide agents. The claims are being returned for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including transient ischemic attacks with seizures, diarrhea, involuntary movements, migraine headaches, depression and mental confusion with anger outbursts, and blurred vision, due to lack of evidence of exposure to mustard gas or sarin gas during active duty.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and provide additional medical records in order to properly adjudicate his claims of service connection for a seizure disorder and a rating increase for his knee condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and several other musculoskeletal issues. The decision also includes remands for tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to additional relevant VA treatment records being added to her claims file.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for accrued benefits purposes for the claimed conditions of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, benign neoplasm of the cerebral meninges, hypertension, bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy. The appellant withdrew her appeal prior to promulgation of a decision by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and seizures, to include as secondary to TBI. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking his current conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of January 26, 1978 for the award of service connection for traumatic seizure disorder was denied as there is no legal basis for assignment of an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's hypertension, blood clots, aneurysm with stroke, seizure disorder, memory impairment, depressive disorder, sleep disorder, nerve pain, kidney disorder, and anemia are not service-connected.,Tinnitus was also denied as service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and missing treatment records.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and ED, but denied service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, COPD, seizures, MDD, and hypertension. The new evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for a heart condition. The Veteran's seizures were rated as 40% disabling from March 6, 2014 and granted TDIU effective July 2, 2010. SMC A&A was also granted effective March 6, 2014.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for epilepsy due to new evidence provided by the Veteran. However, the issue is remanded as further development is needed to determine if the preexisting condition was aggravated during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and seizure disorder. The Board found that pes planus was not related to service due to a lack of treatment or complaints after discharge. GERD was also not related to service as there were no post-service symptoms until 20 years after separation. Seizure disorder was denied because the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis.,The Board determined that the Veteran's pes planus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and seizure disorder are not related to his military service.

PTSD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, seizure disability, and tinnitus have been granted as service connected.,Tinnitus was initially present during active service and persists to the present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee disorders have been denied. His acquired psychiatric disability has been granted a 100% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a seizure disorder and depressive disorder, cause the need for aid and attendance. The Board finds that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and assistance due to his medical conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss (left ear only), tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, COPD, IBS, OSA, left hip disorder, headaches, and seizures were not shown in service or are not causally related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a neurological disability, claimed as seizures and variously diagnosed as non-epileptic spells, as secondary to her service-connected traumatic brain injury. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of epilepsy or seizure disorder.

The Board has found a 20% rating for the Veteran's seizure disorder, but is remanding his claims regarding loss of balance and a growth in the chest due to unclear etiology.