{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/epilepsy","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:10.937Z","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","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":854,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":20.1,"denied_pct":39.2,"remanded_pct":39.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":33.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":67,"granted_pct":17.9,"denied_pct":50.7,"remanded_pct":23.9},{"year":2018,"issues":71,"granted_pct":21.1,"denied_pct":39.4,"remanded_pct":32.4},{"year":2019,"issues":88,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":33,"remanded_pct":44.3},{"year":2020,"issues":117,"granted_pct":12.8,"denied_pct":45.3,"remanded_pct":40.2},{"year":2021,"issues":104,"granted_pct":15.4,"denied_pct":46.2,"remanded_pct":35.6},{"year":2022,"issues":114,"granted_pct":23.7,"denied_pct":36,"remanded_pct":36.8},{"year":2023,"issues":112,"granted_pct":18.8,"denied_pct":25.9,"remanded_pct":54.5},{"year":2024,"issues":97,"granted_pct":19.6,"denied_pct":37.1,"remanded_pct":42.3},{"year":2025,"issues":80,"granted_pct":27.5,"denied_pct":33.8,"remanded_pct":37.5},{"year":2026,"issues":35,"granted_pct":31.4,"denied_pct":42.9,"remanded_pct":25.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":68.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":128,"granted_pct_with":59.4,"granted_pct_without":27.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":674,"granted_pct_with":32.5,"granted_pct_without":42.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":141,"granted_pct_with":63.2,"granted_pct_without":27.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":475,"granted_pct_with":28.2,"granted_pct_without":41.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":294,"granted_pct_with":38.1,"granted_pct_without":31.3},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":76,"granted_pct_with":54.2,"granted_pct_without":31.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":726,"granted_pct_with":32.5,"granted_pct_without":47.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":14},{"reason":"new and material evidence submitted","decisions":4},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted","decisions":3},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence","decisions":3},{"reason":"reduction from 40% to 10 percent was improper","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":39},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":38},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":30},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":19},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":18},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":7}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26033389","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER A. WENDELL","rationale":"Competent, consistent lay testimony emphasizing convulsive and post-convulsive characteristics may establish frequency.; Veteran experiences minor seizures two or more times within a six-month period.; Evidence in approximate balance that seizure disorder manifested with blurred vision and twitching… [truncated, 47 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26032056","year":2026,"judge":"T. RAYMOND","rationale":"Favorable finding of current epilepsy; Favorable finding of in-service concussion from MVA; Equipoise between current epilepsy and in-service concussion; Benefit of the doubt applied in favor of Veteran"},{"case_id":"A26029799","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"No persuasive evidence of actual improvement in disability or functional impact.; Seizure rate and type remained consistent post-reduction.; Treating physician's letter and VA medical records support continuing seizures."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26005061","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTY L. ZADORA","rationale":"No in-service seizures documented.; Earliest diagnosis over 26 years post-service.; Probative medical opinions link seizures to non-service-related head injury.; Failure to attend scheduled VA examinations."},{"case_id":"26004886","year":2026,"judge":"WILLIAM H. DONNELLY","rationale":"No diagnosis of seizure disorder confirmed by medical professionals; Symptoms attributed to anxiety or other conditions; Gabapentin prescribed for nerve pain, not seizures"},{"case_id":"26004562","year":2026,"judge":"L. HOWELL","rationale":"No in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of neurobehavioral disorder in STRs.; Separation examination showed normal neurological evaluation.; VA examiner opined less likely than not related to service, citing lack of substantiating evidence and post-service etiology.; Conflicting opinions r… [truncated, 335 chars omitted]"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}