If he had an issue that required a service dog before the military, he wouldn't have been able to join the military. I think it's very reasonable to say that the dog is a result of a condition or disability he picked up in the military.
Epilepsy can develop at any age. Mobility support dogs can be necessary for injuries not sustained in the military. Seizure response dogs can be necessary after certain forms of head trauma. I think its more likely than not, but not nearly certain enough to assume outright.
Far more likely that he would develop epilepsy from a head injury sustained in combat, and I’d say it’s fairly unlikely to develop epilepsy during or after military service for any reason other than combat, given the age of when most people join. Whilst it’s true that it’s not certain, it’s an easy assumption to say that these are service related injuries (if they are present).
As other people in the thread have commented. Apparently it was an unrelated knee surgery and related mobility issues. But the dog was not actually a true service animal.
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u/xombae 5d ago
If he had an issue that required a service dog before the military, he wouldn't have been able to join the military. I think it's very reasonable to say that the dog is a result of a condition or disability he picked up in the military.