Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that the evidence did not support direct service connection and that there was no evidence of exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune. The examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's seizure disorder was related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to coronary artery disease) and hypertension (due to herbicide exposure or as secondary to coronary artery disease) have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his generalized tonic-clonic seizure disorder was denied as he has not had any seizure activity since 2013 and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA-administered tramadol is being remanded because the current medical opinions are insufficient and a new one must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the July 2016 supplemental statement of the case. The appeal is now pending again, and a VA examination is required to address the etiology of his bilateral foot and knee disorders, sleep apnea, and seizure disorder based on presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's son, J.L., was rendered incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to a combination of conditions including an intrauterine stroke and Asperger’s syndrome. The Board found that his condition has not improved since childhood.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head trauma, to include convulsions or epilepsy, finding no evidence of an in-service injury and no indication that the current condition is related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for epilepsy with residual seizures due to new and material evidence, but has also remanded the case for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current seizure disorder and his in-service head injury.

The Veteran's back disability is not related to service.,The Veteran does not have a left upper extremity disability, and one is not proximately due to or aggravated by his right shoulder disability.,The Veteran does not have a neurological disorder (seizures disorder), and it is not related to service.,The pre-existing residuals of the Veteran's left varicocele were not aggravated by military service.,Service connection for all claimed conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for TBI and seizures disorder, as well as the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for headaches and a higher initial rating for psychomotor epilepsy prior to October 31, 2016 is denied. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to earlier effective dates for service connection due to CUE in the February 1995 rating decision is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear evidence regarding his claimed conditions. The issues include syncope, dizziness, a seizure disorder, headaches, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further clarification of evidence. The primary issue is whether his brain cancer, left-sided weakness, left hand disability, left leg disability, seizures, and vision loss are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active duty.

The Veteran's daughter, T.J., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to a complex seizure disorder and related disabilities. The Board granted the Veteran's appeal for recognition as the dependent child on this basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence to reach a decision on whether the Veteran's neurological disorder, claimed as nerve damage, is related to his service-connected PTSD and medications for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that there was not enough evidence to support a link between his in-service seizures and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's seizure condition, as the previous opinion was inadequate. The examiner should consider the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition and his Gulf War service.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic epilepsy, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated Social Security Administration records and a reconsideration of extraschedular entitlement under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board denied service connection for multiple sclerosis and a disability manifested by tremors and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.