Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations for his cervical spine, right knee, right shoulder, left elbow, TBI, seizures, and migraines.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is worsening, requiring help with activities of daily living. The Board finds further development necessary to determine the current severity of her service-connected psychiatric disorder and whether fibromyalgia is a manifestation of PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding whether she has a nonpsychotic organic brain syndrome associated with her service-connected epilepsy, and because VA treatment records from Bluefield Regional Medical Center are needed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by or made worse by his service-connected conditions, including exposure to burn pits in Southwest Asia. The VA examiner’s opinion regarding these issues is inadequate and additional medical opinion is necessary.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA examination of the Veteran's epilepsy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, epilepsy, vertigo, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his arthritis, recurrent meningioma, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension.

The Veteran's initial claim for a TBI rating was granted at 10 percent prior to June 21, 2016. From that date, the Veteran's TBI is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied an increased rating beyond 10 percent and dismissed the TDIU claim as moot due to his service-connected grand mal seizures. SMC at the housebound rate was also denied prior to August 3, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and a right foot condition, to include plantar fasciitis, have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating since September 3, 2010.,Service connection for seizure disorder due to PTSD is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in its May 2018 decision regarding service connection for cause of death. The appellant seeks service connection based on her contention that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's frontal lobe, nocturnal seizures, finding that his symptoms began during service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The appeal of the service connection claims for a respiratory disorder, seizure disorder, and hypertension have been dismissed.,The appeal of the nonservice-connected pension claim has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg varicose veins, atrial fibrillation (heart disease), and seizures due to insufficient medical evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the last final decision, which includes a diagnosis of seizure disorder. The claim for service connection is now pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for a medical examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his active service, including presumed exposure to water contaminants at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for reactive airway disease, seizure disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches due to a lack of medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to his active duty service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete findings for periods of active service, ACDUTRA, and/or INACDUTRA in Southwest Asia in or around 1999. Additionally, a new VA examination is needed as the July 2016 VA examination did not consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's seizure disorder was not shown to be related to his active military service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.