Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed right foot disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU, finding that his PTSD alone did not warrant a higher disability evaluation or preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim for TDIU cannot be decided based on the current evidence and remanded to obtain additional information regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, asthma, degenerative joint disease (including that of the knees), and bilateral foot disability. The veteran's claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's private transportation by Lifeline Air Ambulance from Antelope Valley Hospital to Carle Clinic Hospital on December 12, 2000 was not authorized in advance and did not meet the criteria for emergency medical services. Therefore, payment or reimbursement is denied.

The veteran's service-connected grand mal epilepsy is rated at 80 percent, effective November 16, 2001. The initial evaluation for memory loss associated with the epilepsy remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims must be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and considering both the previous and revised rating criteria for evaluating back disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing medical records and a need for an expert opinion regarding the cause of death. The veteran died from probable cardio-respiratory failure, with complex partial seizure disorder contributing substantially to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's seizure disorder and partial blindness were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the veteran's seizure disorder and his military service, including any in-service fevers or medications. The Board concluded that the current seizure disorder is not related to his time in active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for seizures and remanded it for further development.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection due to a lack of credible evidence showing he was on active duty at the time of his motorcycle accident.