Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 27, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating and denied the claim for an increased rating.

This decision dismisses the Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date, compensable rating, and higher rating for TBI. It also dismisses his appeal for a higher initial rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress and memory loss prior to May 18, 2017. The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 18, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including PTSD and Depression) due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's prostrating headaches related to his TBI.

The Veteran's TBI has not been characterized by more than level one impairment in any of the TBI facets, and therefore, his request for an increased rating higher than 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, TBI, chronic headache disorder, and CFS have been reopened. The claim for PTSD has a new effective date of April 14, 2010. However, the issues regarding TBI, chronic headache disorder, and CFS remain denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TBI claim needs to be remanded for a new examination by one of four designated specialists.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of initial TBI examinations conducted by designated specialists, and will schedule a new examination for the Veteran.

The claims for service connection for bilateral claw foot with fifth toe hammer toe and residuals of frostbite are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a traumatic brain injury as there is no evidence showing he has such a disability at any point during or in proximity to his appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss in the left ear, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. However, additional development is needed to determine the existence and etiology of hypertension, right hand disorder, TBI, bilateral eye disorder, and neck disorder.,Hypertension has not yet been determined as incurred in service due to lack of definitive evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and post-concussional syndrome due to traumatic brain injury have been rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records, scheduling a new VA examination, and determining the impact of back flare-ups on right leg radiculopathy.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and TBI are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding these conditions.,The Veteran's TDIU claim will be remanded as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI residuals was granted, and the effective date is set to December 9, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, peripheral vestibular dysfunction, and headaches as there is no current diagnosed disability attributed to the Veteran's in-service head injury.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable disability ratings for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Tension Headaches, and Scar Residuals of Pilonidal Cyst have been withdrawn.

The Board has denied service connection for TBI residuals and remanded the issue of increased disability rating for uveitis of the left eye.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of a TBI, seizure disability, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to conflicting evidence in the record. The Veteran's claim will be further developed with an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's TBI and headaches are granted service connection. The cervical spine disorder is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as the Veteran's current symptoms are explained by his already service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).