The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's seizures and blackouts are related to his service-connected neck disability. The SMC for aid and attendance issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not consider the Veteran’s history of episodes of syncope or dizziness prior to 2014, nor did they address the March 2008 treatment note documenting intermittent dizziness. The Board requires a new opinion on remand that fully considers these factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Seizures, Blackouts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151698
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 18151698.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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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