Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2020

Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, residuals of left side epididymis with resulting hypogonadism, and chronic sinusitis. The appeal for service connection for seizures was withdrawn. Service connection is being remanded for right knee disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, left eye disability, otitis media, rosacea, and basal cell carcinoma on the face.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a seizure disability, back disability, and asthma. The Veteran's seizures, back condition, and asthma are found to have existed prior to service and were not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed epilepsy, as well as whether his service-connected psychiatric disabilities may have caused or aggravated this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baylor Medical Center Carrolton in Texas were reimbursed due to her service-connected conditions and the emergency nature of her condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as epilepsy, have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records and information regarding her reported stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, the propriety of reducing his rating for major depressive disorder with ADHD from 60% to 40%, a higher rating for major depressive disorder with ADHD, a higher rating for primary central nervous system lymphoma with psychomotor seizures, and a compensable rating for diplopia with convergence insufficiency. The claims will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's daughter, J.C., was permanently incapable of self-support due to multiple mental and physical disorders since childhood. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry regarding whether residuals of TBI since service have caused or aggravated a seizure disorder. The examiner is to address three questions: (1) if a seizure disorder, including epilepsy, is due to or caused by TBI residuals since service; (2) if substance abuse disorder is due to or caused by TBI residuals since service; and (3) if the seizure disorder has been aggravated by TBI residuals since service.

The Board granted service connection for memory loss, diagnosed as pre-senile dementia, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. Service connection for a seizure disorder was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and heart disability, due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for seizure disorder, PTSD, and closed head injury with cerebral contusion with post-traumatic headaches. The effective dates for these grants are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a prior grant of service connection in July 2019. The Veteran is granted service connection for cognitive dysfunction secondary to service-connected disabilities.