The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected seizure disorder and skull defect (residual of a gunshot wound). The seizures are rated at 20% and the skull defect is rated at 50%. Both conditions were evaluated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary linkage.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes, as the veteran's seizure disorder had no more than two to three minor seizures per month and his skull defect was stable with a covered defect of 3x4 cm. The conditions were evaluated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary linkage.
- Claimed conditions
- Seizure Disorder, Skull Defect (Residual of a Gunshot Wound)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 18, 2000
- Citation
- 0001408
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0001408.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Seizure Disorder were granted with effective dates of April 18, 2019.,SMC at the housebound rate was also granted on this date.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's TBI, psychiatric disorder, seizure disorder, and tremors are all in question.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's seizure disorder was not manifested by at least one major seizure in the past six months or two seizures in the last year, so her claim for a higher rating is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
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.
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