Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded due to an inadequate July 2013 examination. The examiner provided a positive nexus opinion but also stated that some conditions are not related to TBI and that the TBI from service is considered resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TBI residuals due to inconsistencies in the documentation, including a lack of neuropsychological testing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right knee disability and traumatic brain injury were denied. The case was remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his PTSD and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI and headaches, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. Additional development is needed to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee disabilities, DM, ischemic heart disease, TBI, and peripheral neuropathy are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection for DM was not granted because the condition did not manifest within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for TBI, headaches, and TDIU due to incomplete development and procedural issues. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for stomach disorder, IBS, neck disorder, headaches, chronic fatigue, and TBI have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, and cannabis use disorder has been reopened but denied.

The claims for service connection for bilateral ankle DJD, a bilateral knee disability, ED, and TBI have been granted.

The Veteran's service connection for TBI has been granted, and he is also granted a noncompensable rating for erectile dysfunction. However, the claim for service connection for diarrhea (IBS) remains pending as additional evidence is needed.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 0 percent due to lack of specific disability criteria meeting the requirements for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for TBI and PTSD prior to September 22, 2014 have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in August 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for frostbite residuals of the bilateral hands and feet. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding his in-service exposure to noise and cold injuries, which led to current disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral lower extremities and tension headaches are granted. The claim for residuals of frostbite of the upper extremities is denied.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent from April 14, 2014. The initial rating for TBI remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected left knee scar is granted, but no higher than 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether she experiences one painful residual scar from her service-connected left knee ACL repair.,The Veteran’s claim of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), other than migraines and psychiatric disability, is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board also found that the Veteran's neuroma involving the left saphenous nerve requires further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU with an effective date of February 22, 2010. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including headaches, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability are granted. The initial rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD and his TDIU benefits are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's seizure disorder, hearing loss, head injury (including TBI), right ankle condition, and left knee condition are all granted service connection. The decision also notes that the Veteran has a history of functional impairment in his right ankle.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new examination to address the severity of his service-connected TBI and its residuals. The Veteran seeks higher ratings for headaches associated with TBI and for residuals of TBI prior to February 17, 2017.