The Board finds that the evidence serves to show that the veteran as likely as not has a separately ratable disability manifested by idiopathic seizures which had its onset in service. By extending the benefit of the doubt to the veteran, the Board grants service connection for idiopathic seizures.
The deciding factor: The VHA expert acknowledged that there was no way to rule out the possibility of an actual seizure disorder with 100 percent certainty but found it unlikely based on the evidence in the record. The VA examiner attributed the veteran's in-service 'seizures' to hyperventilation which was part of his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Seizures
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 17, 2002
- Citation
- 0207972
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0207972.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for seizures prior to October 18, 2019, and denied a higher rating from that date. The Veteran was also granted service connection for a stroke and its residuals, as well as special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, effective December 8, 2025.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of September 26, 2021, for the award of an initial 100 percent rating for seizures and related benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury (TBI), seizures, neurocognitive disorder, and headache disorder to obtain a new VA examination and opinion.
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