Epilepsy & seizure disorders Board decisions

The claim of service connection for a right shoulder condition is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment during the appeal period, leading to a grant of TDIU.,Medical evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions or medications.,Medical evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions or medications.,Medical evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran has a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness and what its manifestations are.,Medical evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran has erectile dysfunction and whether it is related to his service-connected conditions or medications.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of the claims as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a seizure disability and denied service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected sporadic seizures and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to missing service treatment records and inadequate examinations. The issues will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an expert opinion regarding his COPD claim.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for tonic clonic seizure disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring it.

The appeal is granted as the service connection for epilepsy is restored, and new evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for back condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and neck condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including metastatic bilateral lung cancer and brain tumor with focal motor and focal sensory seizure disorder, have rendered him unable to work. Effective June 5, 2015, his service-connected status-post radical prostatectomy is rated at 100 percent due to renal dysfunction.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left wrist disorder, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, traumatic cognitive disorder (mental disorder due to traumatic fall), seizure disorder, and left knee disorder. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service in various ways. Service connection was granted for an unspecified depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), epilepsy, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain/dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for seizure disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for disability manifested by memory loss as residual of head injury, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), hypertension, and seizure disorder. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5. For hypertension and seizure disorders, the Board noted that there were no manifestations within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the lack of complete service treatment records, including a separation examination. Additionally, SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the higher rate due to her service-connected seizure disorder and dysthymia with mood disorder, which causes her need for aid and attendance. Effective December 5, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for seizure disorder, fatigue (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome), headaches (claimed as migraines), and multiple sclerosis due to a lack of verified military service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart condition, which he contends is related to his active military service. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for stroke, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for epilepsy. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for epilepsy, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for brain tumors, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. The Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for lung condition, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. VA treatment records reflect reports of asthma. Though the record does not contain a definitive diagnosis of asthma or other lung condition, based on his education and training the Veteran is competent to offer evidence of a current disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability. The Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of an inguinal hernia, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. The service treatment records show a diagnosis of right inguinal hernia in May 1963 and an inguinal hernioplasty in June 1963. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diverticulitis, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. The Veteran underwent a private colonoscopy in July 2016. The colonoscopy report reflects a diagnosis of diverticulitis and polyps. Further, STRs dated January 1966 show reports of abdominal pain, epigastric tenderness, and intermittent indigestion over a period of three months. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for polyps, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of service connection for diverticulitis. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. He alleges this condition was caused or aggravated by his inguinal hernia and the 'wear and tear' associated with his military training. Alternatively, he alleges that his rheumatoid arthritis was a result of Agent Orange exposure. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues include PTSD, bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, TBI, seizure disability secondary to TBI, vertigo secondary to TBI, Dercum’s disease, wrist carpal tunnel syndromes, hypermobility syndrome, testicular/inguinal hernia, respiratory disability, mast cell disorder, hemolytic anemia, and TMJ.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for cause of death. The Veteran's death was caused by seizures, which were not related to his military service. However, due to the lack of a valid pending claim at the time of his death and no unpaid benefits owed him, accrued benefits are denied.