Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection, including those for seizures, loss of bladder control (urinary tract condition), hemorrhoids, psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, residuals of left Achilles tendon tear, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and stress fractures of both feet. The decision also addressed whether the Veteran's character of discharge is a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection is also being remanded for a recurrent neurological disability, to include a seizure disorder.

The Veteran's death was caused by a type of brain cancer that is presumed to be linked to his military service in Southwest Asia, specifically exposure to burn pits. As such, the claim for DIC benefits based on cause of death due to service-connected disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development, including obtaining updated VA medical opinions. The issues include otitis externa, partial complex seizure disorder with headaches, and hypertension prior to August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for seizure disability is denied as the onset was not during active duty and is less likely related to service.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease is granted, with an effective date prior to May 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a recurrent seizure disability claimed as the result of anthrax vaccination residuals. Service connection is not granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing his claimed conditions and their relationship to his service-connected disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disorder and TDIU due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the current condition is related to service or if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected temporal lobe seizure status post cerebral arteriovenous malformation, effective from November 6, 2017. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from February 1, 2007 to February 22, 2010. Therefore, a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, right parietal arteriovenous malformation with residuals of cognitive dysfunction and seizures, and inguinal hernia due to the need for VA examinations.,The Board also remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression, and/or anxiety) due to the need for a VA examination and verification of a personal assault during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the severity of residuals from service-connected TBI. The appeal is now pending for a new VA medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder manifested by seizures, stroke, cognitive impairment, and/or tremors is remanded due to the need for additional verification of his claimed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service. The matter will be addressed again after obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's seizures are related to service-connected PTSD and whether they are aggravated by it.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded his service connection claims due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records from VA and private providers.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis due to herbicide exposure. The issues of head injury residuals and seizures are remanded as the Veteran's claims have not been fully addressed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and OSA as secondary to service-connected disabilities based on substitution. Service connection was granted for tinnitus based on substitution.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to a lack of information about the qualifications of the examiners who conducted the September 2014 VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the etiology of the Veteran's epilepsy and whether it is related to his military service.