Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart condition, seizure disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a brain tumor, seizures, and right ear hearing loss due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case requires further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including paramyoclonus multiplex with tonic-clonic seizures, have rendered him unemployable since June 3, 2019. TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for malaria, service connection for TBI and/or residuals thereof, scars on the brain, and seizure disorder are remanded due to open medical questions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism, both secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for temporal lobe epilepsy and an eye disorder (cataracts and glaucoma), both secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism were denied as they are not considered directly related to his active duty service. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for temporal lobe epilepsy and an eye disorder (cataracts and glaucoma), both secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident and seizure disorder due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. An addendum opinion is needed from the VA examiner to address whether these conditions are related to service, considering evidence submitted by the Veteran.

Service connection for transient ischemic attacks (TIA) with seizure-like activity, but no actual seizure disorder is granted. An increased rating of 20 percent for low back pain with mild degenerative changes is also granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for the Veteran's nocturnal epilepsy with grand and petit mal seizures was not proper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The case is now remanded to determine the current severity of the service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability and remanded the claims for a seizure disorder and headache condition. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific matters decided.

The Board has denied service connection for seizure disorder and anxiety, but has remanded the claim of service connection for PTSD related to military sexual trauma. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected epilepsy with arachnoid cyst is rated as totally disabling, but the Board finds that there may be a likelihood of improvement and requires an addendum opinion to determine if it is reasonably certain to continue throughout the life of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and loss of use are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA records. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance or has lost effective function in his feet.

The Board denied service connection for seizure disorder, including pseudoseizures, finding no evidence of a relationship to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete development, including a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding symptom severity, frequency, and duration. The AOJ is required to obtain such an opinion and any necessary VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder due to head trauma, finding that there was no evidence of current residuals from long-term head injury and concluding it was less likely than not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bell’s palsy and epilepsy due to inadequate examinations. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for stroke disorder, seizures, kidney disorder, and bladder disorder due to additional development being necessary. The case is returned to the VA examiner for further examination and medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals on the claims for service connection for seizures and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his seizure disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an addendum opinion. The TDIU claim is also pending, so both issues are being returned to the RO.