The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including a seizure disorder, and also denied the Veteran's request for SMC at a level higher than that payable under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k). The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding loss of use of both feet or significant disabilities requiring regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The VA neurologist's opinion established that the Veteran has a current seizure disorder but does not have current residuals of a TBI. The opinions also established that the current seizure disorder is not at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including his in-service head injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- Seizure Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18109786
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 18109786.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for anxiety disorder and TBI were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board granted entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) effective January 21, 2019, based on the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected TBI.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to a procedural error.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury did not meet the statutory threshold for special monthly compensation (SMC) at either the housebound or aid and attendance rates due to lack of permanent housebound status or need for regular aid and attendance.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.