Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, but his TBI claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD, TBI, and low back strain are being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case based on recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has been remanded due to the need for another examination. The Veteran is also denied an increased rating for tinnitus and an earlier effective date for his TBI service connection.,The Board found insufficient evidence in the previous VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to a documented IED explosion during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and hiatal hernia, were denied. The claim for residuals of a head injury (now claimed as TBI) was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and the Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The claim for PTSD, anxiety, and depression is still pending.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and other claims, including increased ratings for various disabilities. The Veteran's appeal was also remanded for further action on some issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate development and examination reports. The VA is required to obtain additional records, schedule examinations, and provide adequate opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches secondary to TBI, and left arm numbness secondary to TBI need further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was effective from March 1, 2010. The Appellant is not entitled to enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1311(a)(2) as the Veteran did not have a continuous period of at least eight years of total disability prior to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD or pain from his other disabilities caused or aggravated his heart disease, which was the cause of death.

The Board has decided that further medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's symptoms are related to a traumatic brain injury or her service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions, but the cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cold injury residuals are related to his service. The VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's statements of exposure and credible evidence, such as his '40 degree below' card.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by his representative.,The Veteran’s claims for TBI, left thumb, ring, and little finger disabilities, lumbosacral spine disability, migraines associated with TBI, residual scars from TBI, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and service connection for residuals of left ulnar nerve transposition in the left arm are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, chronic headache disorder (migraine and tension headaches), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) are all granted. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral arm numbness and traumatic brain injury were dismissed. The appeal for an initial PTSD rating was granted, but the claim of entitlement to a higher rating prior to September 26, 2014, and since that date remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, to include traumatic brain injury, finding that the Veteran did not have identifiable and chronic residuals of a TBI separate from his other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for TBI and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of his TBI, and his employment history should also be evaluated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for hepatitis C and traumatic brain injury, but remands them due to insufficient evidence. The claim for service connection is pending.

The Veteran's claims for traumatic arthritis of multiple joints and low back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate hypertrophy, left shoulder disability, right hand disability (claimed as swollen right hand), left heel spur, TBI, and a disability manifested by dizziness and vertigo have also been remanded.