Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his seizures, bleeding in the brain, and stroke were also not service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's death was caused by hypercapnic respiratory arrest and a seizure disorder, which occurred years after service. The Board found no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did they find any connection to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking her current seizures to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected cerebral sarcoidosis with partial seizures and arthralgia, has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including seizure symptoms from arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and PTSD, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2003. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 100 percent due to an average of at least one major seizure per month over the past year.,Service connection for a right hip condition and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted on May 14, 2018, and the Board found that this date is when his entitlement arose. Therefore, an earlier effective date than May 14, 2018, for these benefits is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw her appeal.

The Veteran's death was related to service, specifically an in-service motor vehicle accident that caused a head injury and lacerations. The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding whether the USS Pine Island operated within Vietnam's territorial sea during the Veteran's service aboard the ship.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, TBI, seizure disorder, a sleep condition, tinnitus, and headaches. The appeals were not successful as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted in full, and the appeal is dismissed. The issues of service connection for CAD and a seizure disorder are remanded.

The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen his service connection claim for a seizure disorder, finding that it is a line of duty injury during active military service. The evidence received since the prior final denial includes lay and medical opinions suggesting the appellant did not have a preexisting seizure disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for seizures, TBI, sleep disorder, and lumbar spine strain. Service connection is granted for TBI and seizures, but denied for lumbar spine strain.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a seizure disorder, finding that it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his active service and was not aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examinations and incomplete records. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a seizure disorder, and increased ratings for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for various conditions, including hypertension, nasal disability, chronic epididymitis, psychomotor epilepsy, bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction, deviated nasal septum, bilateral hallux rigidus, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, anxiety disorder NOS, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection have also been granted for right ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, arthritis, left ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, osteochondritis dissecans, and arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and depressive disorder) due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Board granted an initial 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's atonic seizures, finding that his episodes of unconsciousness averaged at least once per month during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, cervical disorder, left ear hearing loss, and knee disorders. The Veteran's mental health records need to be obtained, as well as additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.