Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), specifically back and neck pain, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these disabilities and his in-service head injury or service-connected TBI.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the issues of a higher initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Grand Mal Seizures.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's claimed traumatic brain injury and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite, left hand was granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a rating increase to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran is required to provide records of his 1969 left knee surgery and any related hospitalization, and VA must make efforts to obtain these records. A new VA examination of the Veteran's TBI residuals is also needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, and right hip disability are all granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, including headaches. The remaining issues concerning entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the filing of new claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, which may affect his TDIU rating. The AOJ will develop these issues before considering the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed, including service treatment records and a VA examination for the Veteran's TBI, IBS, and respiratory disorder claims. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal of increased rating for seizure disorder and compensable rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claims as no longer valid due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence from the last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected residuals of frostbite.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and developing stressor verification information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including headaches and memory loss, has been reopened. The Veteran was found to have chronic headaches as a result of his TBI. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish current disabilities for memory loss or difficulty concentrating related to the TBI.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and attempting to obtain private medical records. The Veteran's hip disabilities will also be evaluated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a TBI incurred in service, and therefore, service connection for TBI is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits documents. A new VA TBI residuals examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of his personality changes due to traumatic brain injury.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for TBI and headaches. The service connection claims for dental trauma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.