Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including for service connection and increased rating issues. The Veteran will need updated VA examinations and verification of his Reserve duty periods.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and TBI have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since at least November 2009, as he is unable to perform the duties of an executive management position due to his cognitive impairment and social difficulties.

The Veteran's claim for compensation for tooth extraction, loss of sense of taste, and nerve deadening is denied. The claim for service connection for frostbite of the bilateral lower extremities has been reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial in 2010. However, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of frostbite or cold injury residuals resulting from service.

The Board has denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Memory loss, including as associated with TBI. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or any link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for TBI with headaches was denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened, but service connection remains denied. The Veteran does not have any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected disabilities. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder was previously remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for TBI secondary to his service-connected CAD is denied. He is granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent disabling for PTSD and a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied because the injuries were caused by his own willful misconduct during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for TBI, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The issue regarding blackouts/loss of consciousness during the appeal period is also remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence of current TBI, chloracne, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, or peripheral neuropathy of the right upper or lower extremity. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to issues with the adequacy of VA examinations, including a need for new evaluations for PTSD, TBI, and residuals of TBI. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include PTSD, TBI, bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities, migraines, back condition, mouth condition, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TBI are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records, and a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) secondary to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/Mental Disorders because there was no clinical diagnosis of TBI in the record, and the Veteran's lay statements were insufficient to substantiate her claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a traumatic brain injury is granted as the evidence shows that he sustained injuries during his military service and has current residuals of a TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of compliance with previous directives and a need for an examination to determine if frostbite residuals are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and he is awarded a temporary 100% evaluation for hospitalization due to PTSD. The claims for reopening of sleep apnea, higher rating for TBI, and neck disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no evidence of current disability related to the inservice head injury.

The Veteran's TBI and migraine headaches have been rated at the lowest possible level, with no higher ratings granted due to overlap with service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the ratings and reduction questions for PTSD with bipolar disorder, TBI, migraine headaches, and mechanical lower back strain.