Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's TBI, seizure disorder, and migraines. The VA is instructed to schedule a new examination by a neurologist or other qualified examiner to address these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to readjudicate his claims for service connection for residual of back injury, left leg disability, and seizure disorder. However, it denied these claims as there is no persuasive evidence showing that any of these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for TBI, seizures, and dizziness due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error and has remanded the case for further action, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's epilepsy is related to his prescribed HTZ Lisinopril and his release from the VA Blind Rehabilitation Unit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for tinnitus, migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (both legs), right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and chronic left ankle pain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is also service connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to obtaining missing VA records and providing a new medical opinion regarding the cause of death. The DIC benefits claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including psychogenic seizures and subacromial bursitis right shoulder with surgical scar, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis starting May 2, 2019.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and has ordered another VA examination to address the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia and its impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the October 2021 rating decision and the need for updated court findings. The Veteran's disability claims are also being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring additional medical opinions on cognitive impairment, gait deficiencies, and peripheral artery disease as residuals of service-connected stroke.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% effective from the date of claim, and his TBI residuals are granted a 40% rating. The seizure disorder was initially granted a 20% rating prior to November 13, 2019, and then reduced to 10% thereafter.

The Board granted service connection for epilepsy and assigned a noncompensable rating. The issues of higher ratings for neurological residuals, orthopedic residuals, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left tibial stress fracture, right shoulder disability, and chronic seizure disorder due to failure to report for necessary VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits of his claims for a brain disorder, PTSD, and skin disorder have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a seizure disorder. The issues of temporary total rating based on convalescence and TDIU are being remanded pending further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically his TBI and related conditions. The VA will verify the dates and types of the Veteran's service in the Army National Guard of Illinois and obtain his service treatment records from his first period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches due to potential issues with the presumption of soundness, preexisting conditions, and aggravation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's unspecified neurocognitive disorder warrants a 50% rating, but no higher. The issue of service connection for seizures is remanded due to the presence of these symptoms and their potential relationship to his service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and for an increased rating for his left knee condition, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected conditions. The reasons include insufficient evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, failure to report for necessary VA examinations without good cause, and the Veteran's failure to substantiate his claims with supporting evidence.