Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2020

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and seizure disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to potential issues with notice of previously scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment since April 16, 2010. The Board has granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis prior to March 3, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's seizures are related to his service-connected PTSD, and if so, whether they were caused or aggravated by it.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The issues include back disability, right eye disability, cerebrovascular disorder, and seizure disorder.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for head and seizure disabilities, but denied both claims as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or occurrence that caused these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a seizure disability, back disability, and asthma. The evidence now shows that these conditions existed prior to service and were not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed epilepsy, as well as whether his service-connected psychiatric disabilities may have caused or aggravated this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as epilepsy, have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher disability ratings.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baylor Medical Center Carrolton in Texas were reimbursed due to her service-connected conditions and the emergency nature of her condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records and information regarding her reported stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, the propriety of reducing his rating for major depressive disorder with ADHD from 60% to 40%, a higher rating for major depressive disorder with ADHD, a higher rating for primary central nervous system lymphoma with psychomotor seizures, and a compensable rating for diplopia with convergence insufficiency. The claims will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's daughter, J.C., was permanently incapable of self-support due to multiple mental and physical disorders since childhood. The Board granted the recognition of J.C. as a helpless child.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry regarding whether residuals of TBI since service have caused or aggravated a seizure disorder. The examiner is to address three questions: (1) if a seizure disorder, including epilepsy, is due to or caused by TBI residuals; (2) if substance abuse disorder is due to or caused by TBI residuals; and (3) if the seizure disorder has been aggravated by TBI residuals.

The Veteran's memory loss, diagnosed as pre-senile dementia, is granted service connection because it is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a seizure disorder.

An effective date of January 29, 2018, and no earlier, for an increased rate of payment for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, and seizure disorder as not related to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,There is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or post-service that would support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the July 2019 decision, and the Veteran wishes for the RO to review this additional evidence.