The Board denied service connection for epilepsy and schizoaffective disorder, finding no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service onset or continuous symptoms. The decision also noted that the Veteran served less than 90 days in active duty.
The deciding factor: The Board determined there was not clear and unmistakable evidence to support a pre-existing condition for epilepsy and schizoaffective disorder, as well as no showing of continuity of symptomatology since service.
- Claimed conditions
- epilepsy, schizoaffective disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2023
- Citation
- 23063206
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 23063206.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed alternatively as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder, due to an inadequate VA examiner's opinion and a failure to fulfill the duty to assist in obtaining relevant medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for seizures, to include epilepsy, as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of such a disorder related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for schizoaffective disorder to ensure proper notice and a new VA psychiatric examination.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for epilepsy, bilateral detached retina (previously rated as blurred vision), cervical spine condition, and migraine headaches. However, it granted service connection for hypertension and earlier effective dates for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and PTSD.
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.