Epilepsy & seizure disorders decisions — 2000

The veteran asserts that she began experiencing seizure-like activity shortly after service, related to excision surgery performed in service for a skull lesion. The VA examiner found no evidence of a current seizure disorder but opined that some of her seizures may be related to her service-connected postoperative removal of eosinophilic granuloma and occipital neuralgia.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement by VA for unauthorized medical services rendered at Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center on March 29, 1995 is denied because the treatment was not in response to an adjudicated service-connected disability and there were no emergent circumstances.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery for an overpayment of compensation benefits in the amount of $6,039. The veteran's appeal was not about service connection issues.

The Board has found that there is a new factual basis for reconsideration of the character of the veteran's discharge, which may affect his entitlement to VA benefits. The issue of service connection for a seizure disorder will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seizure disorder and low back disability are not related to service, including any exposure to herbicides or other service events. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for seizures, loss of teeth, and weight loss as residuals of Agent Orange exposure in service due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a seizure disorder and blackouts, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for seizures and depression are not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, and thus denied them. The claims related to residuals of a neck injury, memory loss, seizure disorder, and facial surgery secondary to an electrical burn.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not provide a causal relationship between the veteran's claimed head injury and his current conditions, including seizures. As such, the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is denied.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder. The issue is now whether this claim is well-grounded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a right elbow disorder, bilateral foot disorder, an eye disorder (defective vision), and a seizure disorder. The veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his partial complex seizure disorder, finding that the current rating adequately compensates him for his condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected seizure disorder and skull defect (residual of a gunshot wound). The seizures are rated at 20% and the skull defect is rated at 50%. Both conditions were evaluated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.