Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, a kidney condition, a breathing condition, a heart disability, hypertension and seizures as he withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 40 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also found that he meets the requirements for TDIU prior to January 3, 2018.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for a seizure disorder. The cervical spine disability issue is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), to include headaches and seizures, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TBI at any time during the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizure disorder may be related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam. However, due to insufficient evidence, a medical examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current condition and his service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for pes planus (flat feet) and a neck condition were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Entitlement to service connection for a seizure disorder and stroke associated with seizure was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder and cerebrovascular compromise did not begin during or be caused by his military service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder with major depressive disorder and PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective August 11, 2016. Service connection for traumatic brain injury and seizure disorder remains denied.

The application to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a back condition is denied.,The application to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for seizures is denied.,The application to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied service connection for seizure disorder and psychiatric disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for grand mal seizures has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is now service-connected for seizures related to his TBI, but the issue of an initial increased rating for TBI remains pending.

The claim of service connection for a right shoulder condition is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment during the appeal period, leading to a grant of TDIU.,Medical evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions or medications.,Medical evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions or medications.,Medical evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran has a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness and what its manifestations are.,Medical evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran has erectile dysfunction and whether it is related to his service-connected conditions or medications.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of the claims as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a seizure disability and denied service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected sporadic seizures and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to missing service treatment records and inadequate examinations. The issues will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an expert opinion regarding his COPD claim.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for tonic clonic seizure disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring it.

The appeal is granted as the service connection for epilepsy is restored, and new evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for back condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and neck condition.