Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion and the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and completing a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for epilepsy, a heart disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), finding that new and material evidence supports these claims. The skin disability claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder is granted, while claims for PTSD, atrial fibrillation, lower back disorder, and TBI are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance. The Veteran's current disabilities include bilateral knee issues, seizure disorder, Meniere's syndrome, and a history of femur fractures in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including reopening of previously denied claims and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a seizure disorder, finding that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and disability manifested by seizures. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his glioblastoma and herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his claimed conditions, including tinnitus, PTSD, seizure disability, and gastrointestinal disabilities. The issues of service connection are also being remanded.

The Board has decided that service connection for seizures is not granted, and the case is remanded for further examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) had its onset in service or is otherwise related to an in-service disease or injury.

The Board denied service connection for nose trauma, right arm disorder, and seizures due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were caused by an in-service event or injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting seizure disorder did not become aggravated by his active service, and thus denied service connection for epileptic seizures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent and a rating in excess of 10 percent for temporal lobe epilepsy, effective November 18, 1970 and October 1, 1971 respectively. The case is held in abeyance pending resolution of the increased rating issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, but the claims for seizure disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's seizure disorder, including grand mal seizures, manifested to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service. The Board granted the claim for service connection based on direct evidence of the condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of service connection for seizures or anxiety, and thus the claims are denied.

The appeals to reopen claims of service connection for left wrist disability, low back disability, and residuals of skull fracture with seizures are denied. The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for bowel disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further medical examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current seizure disorder is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's seizure disorder was aggravated by service.