Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2025

The Board granted eligibility for the direct payment of fees to the appellant from past due benefits awarded in the portion of a July 2023 rating decision granting higher ratings for epilepsy and migraine headaches, but denied it for lumbar strain and cognitive disorder.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance from June 18, 2019 to October 7, 2022 due to his service-connected conditions requiring regular assistance.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, a seizure disability, peripheral vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus as the record does not show that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board denied the appellant's request for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular and aid and attendance due to brain cancer.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the service-connected PTSD, TBI, and TDIU but denied earlier effective dates for the migraine headaches, petit mal epilepsy with vertigo, and hypertension.

The appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 30 percent for scars, and the claims for increased ratings for TBI and headaches, as well as service connection for seizures, were remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial 10 percent disability rating for service-connected psychomotor epilepsy and denied increased, compensable ratings for a scar on the right forehead and service connection claims for sciatic nerve conditions in both lower extremities.

The Board remands the claim for a neurological disorder, to include cognitive impairment, deficits in memory and concentration, and seizures, for further evidentiary development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left finger condition, seizures, skin cancer, and brain injury (including TBI) due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted an effective date of August 15, 2011, for the award of service connection for peritoneal adhesions and associated scar of the mid-abdomen but denied earlier effective dates for a seizure disorder and DEA benefits. A rating of 30 percent was also granted for peritoneal adhesions.

The Veteran's respiratory conditions, including asthma and sleep apnea, are rated at 100 percent disabling from June 18, 2018.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and entitlement to a TDIU due to deficiencies in the previous decision.

The Board granted the Veteran's appeal for service connection and an earlier effective date, awarding a 100% rating for acoustic schwannoma status post resection with vertigo and staggered gait to include right hemiplegia stroke and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for a seizure disorder with left-sided weakness and encephalopathy secondary to the Veteran's service-connected brain tumor, effective August 25, 2018. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 30 percent for the brain tumor and a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board dismissed all appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings due to improper concurrent election of review options.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a low back disability, a seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for bruxism and an initial evaluation of 70 percent, but not in excess thereof, from July 15, 2015 to August 20, 2021 for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board remanded all issues to the VA for further examination and development of evidence.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of neurobehavioral effects due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that the VA did not provide an adequate examination and failed to obtain relevant medical records.