Epilepsy & seizure disorders Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining claims due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease with posttraumatic seizure disorder, was not related to service and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating and service connection for anxiety and depression secondary to his service-connected epilepsy has been denied due to the lack of competent, credible, and probative evidence showing a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

From September 16, 2008, the Veteran's pseudoseizures due to heat injury residuals are not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosed seizure disability and that his seizures in service were resolved with treatment. The Board concluded that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms since service separation, leading to a denial of service connection for a seizure disorder.

The Board found that the reduction from a 40 percent rating to a 20 percent rating for seizure disorder was proper based on evidence showing material improvement under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death to be reopened. The August 2012 VA medical expert opinion supports a finding that the seizure disorder was related to the in-service head injury.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected seizure disorder did not cause or contribute substantially to his death due to liver cirrhosis and related complications, which were not shown to be causally related to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals from his in-service head injury, but granted an initial rating of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD with chronic adjustment issues.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not become manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service, and thus denied all of the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected epilepsy is considered a contributory cause of his death due to dementia. The Board finds that the epilepsy was not aggravated by any other condition, and therefore contributes substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA examination records and updated treatment reports.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision on the merits of the service connection claim for a seizure disorder can be reached. The Veteran's pre-service and in-service medical records are reviewed, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine if his current seizure disorder was present prior to or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for a seizure disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his seizure disorder has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's seizure disorder is related to service, including head trauma in service and/or exposure to Agent Orange. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether the seizures are proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected shell fragment wound of the forehead.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder did not manifest during service and is not causally or etiologically related to such service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current seizure disorder. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated following this development.