{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419-1","petitioner_identifier":"B.O.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":1.08,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"pneumococcal","vaccination_date":"2013-04-17","condition_raw":"aggravation of pre-existing epilepsy/seizure disorder, diagnosed as Dravet syndrome","condition_category":"seizure_disorder","autism_spectrum_adjacent":1,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2023-09-05","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:42:24.372869+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":2,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":1,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioners alleged that the pneumococcal and IPV vaccines administered on April 17, 2013, to B.O., then approximately 13 months old, significantly aggravated his pre-existing epilepsy/seizure disorder, which was later diagnosed as Dravet syndrome. Petitioners' expert, Dr. Mahbubul Huq, proposed a theory that vaccines can trigger an immune response, leading to inflammation and cytokine release that can breach the blood-brain barrier, increasing neuronal excitability and worsening seizure disorders. Respondent's experts, Dr. Gerald Raymond and Dr. Shlomo Shinnar, argued that B.O.'s condition was primarily caused by a de novo SCN1A gene mutation consistent with Dravet syndrome, a severe genetic epileptic encephalopathy. They contended that environmental factors, including vaccines, do not significantly alter the course of genetically determined Dravet syndrome, and that B.O.'s seizure progression was consistent with the natural history of the disorder. The Special Master denied entitlement, finding that Petitioners failed to preponderantly establish that the vaccines caused or significantly aggravated B.O.'s condition. The Special Master concluded that B.O. likely suffered from Dravet syndrome attributable to an SCN1A mutation, and that the vaccines did not cause more than transient seizures without evidence of brain injury, nor did they alter the underlying course of the genetically-determined disorder. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on September 5, 2023. Attorneys for Petitioners were Sylvia Chin-Caplan, and for Respondent was Tyler King. The case was denied entitlement.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2016-04-04","case_summary":"On April 4, 2016, Christina and Bryan Osenbach, parents of B.O., filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that their son's pre-existing epilepsy/seizure disorder was significantly aggravated by the pneumococcal and inactivated poliovirus (IPV) vaccines he received on April 17, 2013. B.O. was approximately 13 months old at the time of vaccination. The petition claimed the vaccines worsened his condition, which was later diagnosed as Dravet syndrome, a severe, genetically-caused epileptic disorder. Petitioners presented expert testimony from Dr. Mahbubul Huq, who opined that the vaccines could have worsened B.O.'s seizure disorder by triggering an inflammatory response that could affect the brain. Respondent argued that B.O.'s condition was primarily due to a genetic mutation (SCN1A gene) consistent with Dravet syndrome, and that the vaccines did not cause or significantly aggravate his condition. Respondent presented expert testimony from Dr. Gerald Raymond, who opined that B.O.'s clinical presentation was consistent with Dravet syndrome, likely caused by a de novo SCN1A gene variant, and that environmental factors like vaccines were unlikely to significantly impact the course of the disease. Dr. Shlomo Shinnar, another expert for the Respondent, also concluded that B.O.'s epilepsy was of presumed genetic cause and that the vaccines were not linked to his condition. The Special Master found that the evidence preponderated in favor of the conclusion that B.O. likely suffered from Dravet syndrome attributable to an SCN1A mutation. The Special Master further found that Petitioners failed to preponderantly establish that the vaccines caused or significantly aggravated B.O.'s condition. The Special Master noted that while the vaccines may have triggered transient seizures, there was no evidence of brain injury from these seizures, and the progression of B.O.'s disorder was consistent with the natural history of Dravet syndrome. Therefore, entitlement was denied. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on September 5, 2023.","is_minor_inferred":null,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Sylvia Chin-Caplan","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Office of Sylvia Chin-Caplan, LLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Boston, MA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|sylvia-chin-caplan|","firm_canonical_key":"law-office-of-sylvia-chin-caplan","package_title":"OSENBACH et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419-0","title":"OSENBACH et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/29/2017) regarding 53 DECISION of Special Master - Interim Attorneys' Fees. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (SP) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2017-04-24","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419-1","title":"OSENBACH et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/08/2023) regarding 130 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (saj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-09-05","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":635735,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00419-1"}]}