Epilepsy & seizure disorders Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder, including epilepsy. The Board also found that the Veteran's current seizure disorder is as likely as not etiologically related to his inservice head injury in February 1966.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for seizures, migraine headaches, and fatigue were denied as there is no in-service injury or disease manifesting these conditions.,Migraine headaches are presumed to have preexisted service entrance. The Board found that the Veteran did not show aggravation during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's seizure disorder, including memory loss and confusion, finding that these conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's initial rating for his generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD features has been increased to 30 percent, effective from May 15, 2001. Service connection was granted for hypertension and a seizure disorder, but the Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a seizure disorder, finding that the earliest date of entitlement is February 6, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone renders him unable to work or obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's epilepsy has been rated at 30 percent since his separation from service. The Board found that the frequency of his major seizures warranted an increase to 80 percent.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a low back injury and right ring finger injury was denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.,The Veteran's recurrent left ankle strain has been granted service connection, with no specific date provided in the decision.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in either the May 1986 or June 1987 rating decisions regarding the Veteran's generalized seizure disorder. The initial 40 percent evaluation was upheld, as were the subsequent reductions to 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and seizure disorder have been denied as there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claims, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support the presence of these conditions in service or due to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for sleep apnea, upper respiratory infection disability, erectile dysfunction, and periodontitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the claims for service connection and increased rating have not been substantiated by new and material evidence, and the effective date of TDIU remains at December 17, 1998.

The Veteran's myoclonic epilepsy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on his current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate for adjudicating these claims due to incomplete review of the entire record, including private medical records. The case must be remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of any seizure/pseudo-seizure disorder, dizziness, and recurrent ear infections.

The Veteran's combined disability rating for pension purposes is 70 percent, but he does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder did not have its onset in service, was not manifested within one year of separation from service, and is otherwise unrelated to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are pending.