Epilepsy & seizure disorders Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a need for an adequate medical decision regarding her eligibility for PCAFC benefits, as the February 2025 supplemental claim decision was not adequate and did not provide sufficient rationale. The Board will consider new evidence including a letter from Dr. S.A. and the Veteran's contentions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran developed an additional disability due to improper VA treatment during a carotid procedure, resulting in a seizure. The evidence supports finding that this was caused by carelessness or negligence on the part of the VA, and thus service connection for residuals of a seizure is granted.

The Veteran's claim of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Jacksonian seizure disorder with dizziness is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues of increased ratings for ankle and lumbar spine conditions, as well as sleep-wake disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a seizure disorder due to insufficient evidence in the medical opinion provided. The Veteran's current diagnosis is attributed to his history of syncope episodes during service, which may or may not be related to his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to pancreatic cancer, finding that it was caused by herbicide agent exposure and the service-connected diabetes mellitus. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that he filed a timely Notice of Disagreement within one year of the September 2014 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for seizure disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury that would support the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury that would support the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertebral fracture and cervical spondylosis are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence provided by the August 2024 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a higher rating for migraine headaches.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD with alcohol use disorder is dismissed.

The Veteran's epilepsy is granted at a 40 percent evaluation from March 3, 2017 to February 15, 2019. After February 15, 2019, the Veteran's epilepsy is denied for any higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TBI service connection is denied as the earliest possible effective date is January 27, 1994.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for major depressive disorder service connection is dismissed because it was received within one year of separation from service and thus the earliest possible effective date is November 3, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for focal seizure with secondary generalization service connection is denied as the earliest possible effective date is October 26, 2022.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left frontal meningioma, localized relocated idiopathic epilepsy, and active seizure disorder due to exposure during service. The Board found that there is at least equipoise evidence supporting a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's exposure to burn pits.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on her need for supervision or protection due to symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. The VA will now consider whether participation in the PCAFC program is in her best interest.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for epilepsy, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's residuals of TBI are currently rated at 40 percent, and the initial rating for seizures is 10 percent. The Board denied both claims as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and seizure disorder have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The appeal regarding the disability rating for tonic-clonic seizures or grand mal epilepsy is dismissed. The Veteran's ulnar deformity of the right third finger is granted a 10 percent rating, effective September 23, 2011. A TDIU on an extra-schedular basis from September 23, 2011, to December 30, 2020, and a TDIU on a schedular basis from December 31, 2020 are granted.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals as untimely, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposed reduction in rating for seizure disorder with headaches from 80 percent to 10 percent because it was premature and not an actual decision subject to review.