Epilepsy & seizure disorders Board decisions

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 2, 2007 to August 9, 2007 due to his service-connected seizure disorder. The combined rating of his disabilities met the criteria for TDIU.

The veteran has withdrawn her appeals for increased ratings and TDIU, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection of a seizure disorder and granted it. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct an examination.

The Veteran's seizure disorder rating was restored from 20 percent to 40 percent effective September 1, 2012. A higher rating is denied as the evidence does not show at least one major seizure in four months over the last year or nine minor seizures per week.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a seizure disorder, finding that there was no causal or etiological link between her current disability and her military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for post traumatic grand mal seizures, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and aid and attendance allowance for spouse as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The TDIU issue is remanded due to lack of employment history and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current epilepsy had its onset during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are service-connected under direct criteria.,The Veteran's cervical spine/neck disability, residuals of head injury, migraines, seizure disorder, lumbar spine disability, disabilities of the bilateral upper extremities, to include shoulder, arm, and radiculopathy, as well as left ear hearing loss, remain in appellate status.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, seizures, memory loss, hearing loss, and high cholesterol as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during periods of ACDUTRA or were related to such.,The appellant's statements regarding his belief in a nexus between his current conditions and military service were found to be insufficient due to lack of medical expertise.

The Board has remanded three claims: service connection for seizure disorder, functional vision loss in the left eye, and bilateral blindness. The Veteran's testimony and medical records indicate he was involved in a head injury during service which may have contributed to his current conditions.

The Veteran's back disorder and Schatzki's ring with difficulty swallowing are service-connected. However, the claim for diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.,Seizures have not been diagnosed in post-service records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rating for seizure disorder, and rating for migraine headaches due to incomplete rationale in previous VA examinations.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to provide additional medical records and for new VA examinations to determine the etiology of his seizure disorder and gastrointestinal disorders. The claims are also remanded for TDIU consideration.

The claim of service connection for head trauma and seizure disorder has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's eye disability, specifically whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred on December 18, 2017 for a seizure were denied as he did not meet the statutory requirements for reimbursement under VA policies.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic encephalopathy, manifested by seizure disorder, renders him in need of regular aid and attendance. The examiner will assess whether his condition makes him helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires the aid of another person.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as arthritis and status post total knee replacement, is granted.,The Veteran's seizure disorder, diagnosed as grand mal epilepsy, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the prior VA addendum opinions and the need for additional clarification regarding the Veteran's arteriovenous malformation (AVM) condition. The examiner must address whether AVM is a congenital or developmental defect, if it was aggravated by service, and whether seizures are related to AVM.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a seizure disorder, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the seizures can be considered 'diabetic seizures' and if they are aggravated by the diabetes.