Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's epileptic seizures as secondary to his service-connected residuals of stroke associated with hypertension.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, headaches, seizure disorder, and bilateral eye disorder due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of VA examination on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed epilepsy in relation to his service-connected arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

The Board has granted service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred during his military service.

The Board has granted restoration of the rating from 80% to 100%, effective August 1, 2020, for epilepsy and epileptic syndromes with complex partial seizures, residuals of brain tumor. Additionally, SMC at the S-1 rate is also restored effective August 1, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has remanded both his PTSD and seizure disorder associated with traumatic brain injury for further development. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's stroke and seizures are not related to his service, including an in-service head injury. The claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the seizures.

The Veteran's facial scar due to PFB was granted an initial 10% rating effective August 5, 2011. The Veteran's painful scars were denied a higher than 20% rating prior to March 29, 2019 and remanded for further review.,The Veteran's seizure disorder is being reviewed as part of the appeal process. A separate rating for peripheral neuropathy or other neurological disorder due to burn scars is also pending.

The Veteran's daughter, P., is recognized as a helpless child due to her disabilities and inability to support herself prior to the age of 18. The claim was reopened based on new evidence showing she became permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18.

The appeal on the issue of service connection for seizures has been withdrawn. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% and not higher.

Service connection is granted for a brain condition (other than already service-connected epilepsy) and reopening of service connection for a low back disability. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's seizure disorder, including pseudoseizures, is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The VA needs to obtain a medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for a comprehensive medical opinion to determine if the Veteran incurred additional disability as a result of VA's actions during his hospitalization, including the prescribing of Depakote or any delay in changing course.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for seizures due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his seizures. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew her appeals, and service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's diagnosed seizure disorder is considered a MUCMI of unknown etiology, which manifested to a degree of 10 percent or more and has been present for more than six months. The Board granted service connection for the seizure disorder based on presumptive service connection due to exposure in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a seizure disorder and that any symptoms are more likely due to willful misconduct involving drug use.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Seizures, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his heart conditions and their relationship to service. The issues of service connection are related to various heart disabilities, including a heart murmur, an aortic valve replacement, and other secondary conditions.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.