Epilepsy & seizure disorders Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected seizure disorder and skull defect (residual of a gunshot wound). The seizures are rated at 20% and the skull defect is rated at 50%. Both conditions were evaluated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's seizure disorder was rated at 20 percent from March 23, 1989 to May 31, 1994 and increased to 40 percent from June 1, 1994 to October 22, 1997.,Effective January 1, 1998, the veteran was granted a 60 percent evaluation for his seizure disorder postoperative right temporal lobectomy.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is well-grounded. The medical evidence supports a finding that the veteran's service-connected chronic brain syndrome with grand mal seizures contributed to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for cerebritis with a seizure disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not well-grounded as there was no medical evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions. The claim for cerebritis with a seizure disorder was denied due to lack of residuals, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied because there was no evidence of hearing impairment compatible with 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The veteran's claim for service connection for subacute peripheral neuropathy, a nervous disorder, chemical in blood, sleeping seizures, muscle spasms, and orange urine is denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for reopening his service connection claims for epilepsy and residuals of a head injury, finding that new evidence did not establish a nexus between current conditions and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and head injury with seizure disorder, finding that there was no competent evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran experienced seizures from November 1, 1991 to December 31, 1992 and between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1993. The appropriate evaluations for these periods have been granted.

The Board denied the claim for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits based on the appellant's alleged status as the helpless child of a veteran, finding that he was not permanently incapable of self-support at 18 years old.

The Board has determined that a psychiatric disorder incurred in service and a seizure disorder was not present in service, is granted for the acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied for the seizure disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to October 16, 1996 for service connection for low back pain syndrome and a higher evaluation for her low back disability. The veteran's seizure disorder claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the right hip, left wrist sprain, low back disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, cerebral vascular accident (CVA) or stroke, and seizure disorder.

The Board found that the appellant's seizure disorder was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current seizure disorder or organic mental disorder, and thus his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seizure disorder is not service-connected because it is related to his alcohol abuse, and as such, falls outside of the provisions for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a nose fracture cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. However, the veteran is granted service connection for his postoperative residuals of a frontal lobe lesion, astrocytoma with resultant seizure disorder as it was incurred during active military service. The veteran is also granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.