Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2020

The Veteran's death was caused by hypercapnic respiratory arrest and a seizure disorder, which occurred years after service. The Board found no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did they find any connection to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking her current seizures to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for COPD. The issues of service connection for residuals of a head injury and headaches have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected cerebral sarcoidosis with partial seizures and arthralgia, has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including seizure symptoms from arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and PTSD, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2003. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted on May 14, 2018, and the Board found that this date is when his entitlement arose. Therefore, an earlier effective date than May 14, 2018, for these benefits is denied.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 100 percent due to an average of at least one major seizure per month over the past year.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s right hip condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI and Seizure Disorder due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, effective November 12, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information and VA examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding whether she has a nonpsychotic organic brain syndrome associated with her service-connected epilepsy, and because VA treatment records from Bluefield Regional Medical Center are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is worsening, requiring help with activities of daily living. The Board finds further development necessary to determine the current severity of her service-connected psychiatric disorder and whether fibromyalgia is a manifestation of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA examination of the Veteran's epilepsy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death, and whether any of these conditions had their onset during service or are otherwise causally related. The case is being remanded for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations for his cervical spine, right knee, right shoulder, left elbow, TBI, seizures, and migraines.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, epilepsy, vertigo, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.