Epilepsy & seizure disorders Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a seizure disorder was granted, while appeals for other conditions were denied. Service connection for the previously claimed conditions is not established.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 21, 2004 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's combined disability rating was at least 70 percent since July 21, 2004.

The Veteran's seizures are a symptom of his service-connected conversion disorder with mixed symptoms. Service connection for seizures as a separate ratable entity is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea, cervical and lumbar spinal damage, to include as secondary to the service-connected TBI, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since July 21, 2017. Service connection for HPV and sleep apnea are granted. The remaining issues (neck disability, low back disability, seizures of the left/right side of the body, right ankle disability, migraine headaches, and tremors) remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected grand mal epilepsy and lower blindness have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 18, 2014. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of entitlement to a disability in excess for residuals of right knee ACL tear and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for mild hiatal hernia and pyrosis disorder. The Veteran's testimony indicates worsening of his service-connected disabilities, which triggers the need for VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and asbestosis (claimed as lung cancer), but denied all other claims, including those related to heart condition, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, seizure disorder, stroke, and dementia due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for hyperlipemia was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart condition, seizure disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a brain tumor, seizures, and right ear hearing loss due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case requires further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including paramyoclonus multiplex with tonic-clonic seizures, have rendered him unemployable since June 3, 2019. TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for malaria, service connection for TBI and/or residuals thereof, scars on the brain, and seizure disorder are remanded due to open medical questions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism, both secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for temporal lobe epilepsy and an eye disorder (cataracts and glaucoma), both secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism were denied as they are not considered directly related to his active duty service. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for temporal lobe epilepsy and an eye disorder (cataracts and glaucoma), both secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident and seizure disorder due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. An addendum opinion is needed from the VA examiner to address whether these conditions are related to service, considering evidence submitted by the Veteran.

Service connection for transient ischemic attacks (TIA) with seizure-like activity, but no actual seizure disorder is granted. An increased rating of 20 percent for low back pain with mild degenerative changes is also granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for the Veteran's nocturnal epilepsy with grand and petit mal seizures was not proper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The case is now remanded to determine the current severity of the service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability and remanded the claims for a seizure disorder and headache condition. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific matters decided.

The Board has denied service connection for seizure disorder and anxiety, but has remanded the claim of service connection for PTSD related to military sexual trauma. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected epilepsy with arachnoid cyst is rated as totally disabling, but the Board finds that there may be a likelihood of improvement and requires an addendum opinion to determine if it is reasonably certain to continue throughout the life of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and loss of use are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA records. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance or has lost effective function in his feet.