Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected and rated at 70 percent. The Board found that his alcohol abuse disorder was not related to his military service or his service-connected PTSD, and denied the claim for an increased rating for left thigh and left foot pruritic fungus. The right buttock shell fragment wound with retained foreign body and scar of right frontal scalp shell fragment wound were also rated as appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and a head injury with resultant TBI with residual vertigo and visual disability are attributable to service. The claim for PTSD is also granted as it is related to fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Board found no evidence of a traumatic brain injury or acquired psychiatric disorder during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending due to the need for additional development and review of evidence. The issues include seeking service connection for TBI secondary to schizophrenia, as well as entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance needs.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records, VA medical records, and a new examination.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination by a physiatrist, psychiatrist, neurosurgeon, or a neurologist to determine the nature and etiology of any TBI or residuals stemming from a TBI at any time period on appeal. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence and because of potential impact on an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent since February 29, 2012. He is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for hypertension and a right leg disorder have not been established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to incomplete records and need further development. The claim of reopening a previously denied headaches claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a traumatic brain injury was denied as there is no current diagnosis. The reduction in the evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent for scar, forehead, status post motor vehicle accident was found to be improper and restored.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board. The issues of reopening service connection claims for constricted visual fields, TBI, and major depressive disorder are pending.

The Veteran's migraine and tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, effective from January 9, 2013. The TBI is rated as 10 percent disabling since the onset of symptoms in service. Service connection for a right hip condition and an upper back/neck condition has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for body fatigue, weakness and pain due to an undiagnosed illness, bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, psychiatric disorder (including dementia and depression), and cardiovascular disease (including status post myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure).

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims were not supported by evidence of a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia or other purely neurological disabilities such as hemiplegia, epileptiform seizures, facial nerve paralysis. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings prior to April 12, 2011 and from April 12, 2011 onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD and traumatic brain injury residuals have been rated at 70 percent, which is the highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The irritable bowel syndrome has also received a 30 percent rating since July 15, 2013, but no higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a comprehensive VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected traumatic brain injury and its related cognitive, behavioral/emotional (psychiatric), and physical manifestations.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of TBI have been rated as 10 percent disabling since August 15, 2013. Prior to that date, he was granted a noncompensable rating for his TBI residuals.

The Veteran's TBI and chronic headaches due to head trauma have been granted service connection. The remaining issues are pending.