Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2003

The veteran's appeal for service connection for anaplastic oligodendroglioma with a related seizure disorder was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a seizure disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's seizures, dizziness, and syncopal episodes are related to his head injury sustained during active service. The benefit of doubt was resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a paralyzed right eye, seizure disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support these claims as they are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his seizure disorder and sinusitis are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active duty service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for head injury residuals, including a seizure disorder. The case is now remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any such conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, with chronic brain syndrome and epileptic seizures. The issue of special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is still pending.

The Board denied all service connection claims for various conditions, finding that none of the claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board's decision denying service connection for neurological residuals of dental trauma and oral surgery performed in service is dismissed due to the Court vacating it.

The Board found that the veteran's seizure disorder pre-existed service and was not aggravated by active duty. The psychiatric, spinal, knee, and dental conditions were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's seizure disorder, which includes grand mal and petit mal seizures, is currently rated at 20 percent. Since May 2002, the veteran has had a single grand mal seizure warranting a 40 percent rating. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder, hypertension, and residuals of a right heel injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's post-traumatic nocturnal seizure disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it was not productive of at least one major seizure in the last two years or at least two minor seizures in the last six months.

The Board has denied service connection for an anxiety disorder, left temporal lobe cavernous hemangioma, and partial complex seizure disorder. The veteran's anxiety disorder is not currently demonstrated, the cavernous hemangioma of the left temporal lobe is a congenital defect, and the partial complex seizure disorder was initially manifested during active duty.