Epilepsy & seizure disorders Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher level of SMC based on need for aid and attendance, as he is already receiving SMC at the (l) rate.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the issues of increased disability rating for migraines and service connection for bone, leg, and seizure disorders. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted. The Veteran's right sciatic nerve disability for the period prior to September 6, 2016 is denied. The Veteran's right sciatic nerve disability for the period beginning September 6, 2016 is granted with a 40% evaluation. The Veteran's initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for his right anterior crural (femoral) and left anterior crural (femoral) nerves are denied. The Veteran's initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for his left sciatic nerve disability prior to December 19, 2019 is granted with a 20% evaluation. The Veteran's initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for his left anterior crural (femoral) nerves beginning December 19, 2019 are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and seizure disorder have been granted. The appeal was remanded due to the need for further development regarding a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his generalized convulsive seizures from May 30, 2013 to November 10, 2014 was denied as the evidence did not show he experienced at least one major seizure in the last six months or two in the last year.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his seizure disability claim was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The PTSD claim, however, was reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted based on a diagnosis provided by a VA psychologist.

The Veteran's PTSD was increased to a 70 percent rating, and he received an additional 20 percent for psychogenic seizures. The Board found that the past-due benefits were incorrectly reduced by incarceration, so attorney fees are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for epilepsy, finding that the condition was incurred during active duty service and is not due to any pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits based on status as a helpless child of his father, finding that he was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching age 18 due to his ability to work and support himself.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a distinct disability characterized as 'swelling' or 'seizure disability.' Service connection was also denied for substance abuse (alcohol) disorder, stroke residuals, and peripheral neuropathy due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion and notification letter. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a head injury with seizures was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (epilepsy) was denied in an October 2018 rating decision. The appeal was improperly docketed under the AMA system, and a SOC has not been issued. The Board is remanding the case to issue a SOC and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for non-convulsive status epilepticus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 14, 2009 are dismissed. From August 14, 2009, the Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's TBI, seizure disorder, and migraines. The VA is instructed to schedule a new examination by a neurologist or other qualified examiner to address these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to readjudicate his claims for service connection for residual of back injury, left leg disability, and seizure disorder. However, it denied these claims as there is no persuasive evidence showing that any of these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for TBI, seizures, and dizziness due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error and has remanded the case for further action, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's epilepsy is related to his prescribed HTZ Lisinopril and his release from the VA Blind Rehabilitation Unit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for tinnitus, migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (both legs), right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and chronic left ankle pain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is also service connected.