Epilepsy & seizure disorders Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for left-side residuals from a stroke with intracranial aneurysm, headaches, and seizure disorder as secondary to service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's migraines associated with TBI are granted a 30 percent rating, effective August 5, 2021. The left knee patellofemoral syndrome is granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful limitation of extension from July 26, 2021. Other issues and conditions remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to several issues, including a need for a new TBI examination and an evaluation of the Veteran's back disability. The increased rating claim is also on hold until the secondary service connection issue can be addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability and traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and seizures due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA must obtain additional treatment records and provide new medical opinions.

The Board has denied an increased rating for generalized epilepsy and has remanded the issue of service connection for left eye injury, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected generalized epilepsy. The Veteran's left eye disability may require a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating greater than 20 percent for complex partial seizures due to cerebrovascular accidents is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for swallowing difficulty associated with cerebrovascular accidents is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's TBI-related disabilities, including seizures and mental health issues, are rated at separate levels. The rating for Traumatic Brain Injury is denied as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for seizures associated with TBI, and a 50 percent rating is granted for mental health disability associated with TBI.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the appellant's preexisting seizure disorder was aggravated during his service.

The appeals for service connection for congestive heart failure and a seizure disorder (claimed as epilepsy) have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, hypertension, seizure disorder, and insomnia due to Agent Orange exposure as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after service. The VA examiners found that the disabilities were not related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his functional impairment associated with his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, pseudoseizures, obstructive sleep apnea, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions reasonably precluded gainful employment prior to August 2, 2016. An effective date prior to this date for the award of a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is currently rated at 40 percent since January 26, 2018. The Board has ordered a remand for another VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected seizure disorder and to provide a retrospective medical opinion on the frequency of seizures prior to January 26, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of undiagnosed neurological disorder with seizures and myoclonic jerks, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic joint pain. The Board dismissed the appeals.

The Veteran's brain stem seizures are rated at 100 percent, effective July 2021. The claims of financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, SMC based on aid and attendance, SAH, and SHA are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a seizure disorder and TDIU due to new evidence indicating possible service connection, but also noting that the cyst claim was not reopened as there is no new material evidence. The seizure disorder claim will be further examined with an opinion on its etiology.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and neurofibromatosis, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation beyond their natural progression during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error that occurred prior to the February 2020 decision on appeal. The appellant's spina bifida condition must be evaluated by an appropriate clinician to determine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater possibility) a form or manifestation of spina bifida, other than spina bifida occulta.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issue of increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The claim for service connection for seizures has been reopened, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine its etiology. Other issues remain pending.