Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, lumbar DDD, cervical DDD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right eye vision loss are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new TBI examination conducted by one of four designated specialists.

Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is granted.,Initial 30 percent disability ratings are granted for residuals of status-post left and right tarsal tunnel release with plantar fasciitis and pes planus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, right wrist sprain, left shin splints, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The appeals are also remanded for further evaluation of other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increase rating due to failure of the Veteran to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be remanded for scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its resulting stroke in the right frontal lobe has been denied.,The Veteran's attempt to reopen her previously denied claim for headaches was also unsuccessful.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD were both rated at the maximum allowable under current VA regulations, but he was granted a TDIU based solely on his PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate due to additional service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a kidney disability and denied all other issues on appeal. The Veteran's current kidney disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for pulmonary insufficiency was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for new and material evidence, thus denying the reopening of this claim. Other claims were also remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and a traumatic brain injury have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder. For the claim of service connection for a traumatic brain injury, the Board determined that there was insufficient credible evidence to support the Veteran's contention of a head injury during basic training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for depression and psychiatric residuals of TBI is remanded.

The Veteran's TBI was incurred during service and is related to the in-service injury. The Board granted service connection for TBI.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied because there is no current diagnosis and the symptoms are attributed to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses from a non-VA hospital is granted as the claim was filed within two years of the care and meets the criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1728.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, low back disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity disability, and Parkinson’s disease to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected TBI.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for unspecified neurological condition associated with TBI and headaches associated with TBI.

The Board denied service connection for brain disorder, vision disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, erectile dysfunction, and prostate disorder. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed brain disorder or vision disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine was granted. The claims for higher evaluations for headaches and traumatic brain injury, as well as TDIU prior to December 19, 2013, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for TBI and associated scalp scar are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly those related to service connection.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and remanded the issue of service connection for Vascular Headaches.