{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/epilepsy-grand-mal","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:12.922Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Epilepsy grand mal","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1435,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12.1,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":60.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":32.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":105,"granted_pct":10.5,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":49.5},{"year":2018,"issues":190,"granted_pct":10,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":57.9},{"year":2019,"issues":214,"granted_pct":11.2,"denied_pct":24.8,"remanded_pct":59.8},{"year":2020,"issues":134,"granted_pct":9,"denied_pct":17.9,"remanded_pct":72.4},{"year":2021,"issues":173,"granted_pct":12.1,"denied_pct":25.4,"remanded_pct":60.1},{"year":2022,"issues":167,"granted_pct":10.2,"denied_pct":21,"remanded_pct":66.5},{"year":2023,"issues":167,"granted_pct":9.6,"denied_pct":29.3,"remanded_pct":59.3},{"year":2024,"issues":164,"granted_pct":15.2,"denied_pct":18.3,"remanded_pct":65.9},{"year":2025,"issues":108,"granted_pct":19.4,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2026,"issues":47,"granted_pct":21.3,"denied_pct":23.4,"remanded_pct":53.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":73,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":153,"granted_pct_with":64.9,"granted_pct_without":25.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":880,"granted_pct_with":31.4,"granted_pct_without":36.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":178,"granted_pct_with":71.2,"granted_pct_without":22.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":642,"granted_pct_with":30.9,"granted_pct_without":34.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":373,"granted_pct_with":47.5,"granted_pct_without":25},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":68,"granted_pct_with":64.7,"granted_pct_without":30.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1071,"granted_pct_with":30.1,"granted_pct_without":45.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":61,"granted_pct_with":63,"granted_pct_without":31}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":20},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":9},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":5},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":4},{"reason":"criteria for secondary service connection met","decisions":3},{"reason":"severance of service connection was improper","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":39},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":31},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":30},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":30},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":21},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":20}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039497","year":2026,"judge":"TIMOTHY COTHREL","rationale":"VA C&P exam found seizures at least as likely as not related to service-connected scarring; Board applied \"but-for\" causation standard; Benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine applied due to approximately balanced evidence"},{"case_id":"26003739","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"Resolving doubt in Veteran's favor; At least one major seizure monthly over the last year; Met criteria for 100% rating"},{"case_id":"A26023842","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Service-connected anxiety disorder; Substance abuse as intermediate step; Seizures due to substance abuse"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26038465","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER A. WENDELL","rationale":"Current diagnosis conceded; Persian Gulf service satisfies second element; VA examiner opined less likely than not related to service"},{"case_id":"A26037945","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN J. CROWLEY","rationale":"No history of major seizures or frequent minor seizures; Syncope did not require continuous medication; Evidence weighed against higher rating"},{"case_id":"A26035481","year":2026,"judge":"LAURA E. COLLINS","rationale":"No competent evidence of current seizure disorder; Diagnoses and seizures during service are too remote; Veteran not competent to diagnose current seizure disorder; Evidence weighs against finding a current seizure disorder"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}