Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a TBI and a seizure disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service head injury. The other issues on appeal have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings, service connection claims, and a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran currently has a TBI and if it is related to his military service, specifically addressing his contentions that his symptoms are related to a TBI rather than PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI), but denied service connection for hand tremors and cognitive issues, both of which are claimed to be related to TBI. The decision is based on the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), PTSD, and cognitive disorder to include traumatic brain injury, not otherwise specified, have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for acid reflux secondary to PTSD and erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his TBI and related symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, low back disability, left knee disability, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The evidence submitted was found to be insufficient to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The VA will obtain updated medical records, including from Vet Centers and private providers, and schedule examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Board has decided that the character of the appellant’s discharge is a bar to entitlement to VA benefits, but the SOC did not consider all submitted evidence. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cognitive disorder due to TBI need further evaluation as the last VA examination was conducted over three years ago.

The Veteran's head trauma to include TBI was incurred during his period of active duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or residuals from a fall to include left rib injury. The Board denied service connection for this issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial ratings assigned for various service-connected disabilities, including Traumatic Brain Injury, Cervical Spine Disability, Left Shoulder Disability, Right Shoulder Disability, Lumbar Spine Disability, and others.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran during his hearing.,Additional development is required for the following issues: whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of a neck injury, service connection for sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and service-connected sinusitis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), initial rating higher than 10 percent for right shoulder strain and rotator cuff tendonitis, initial rating higher than 10 percent for instability of the left knee, and initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain with meniscus repair surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent, effective September 15, 2015.,Effective dates prior to September 15, 2015 for service connection and increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied. The Board found that no formal or informal claim had been filed prior to March 20, 2012.,The reduction of the TBI rating from 10 percent to noncompensable was upheld as proper. The Veteran's PTSD rating remained at 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied as there is no current disability related to the TBI.

The Veteran's skin disorder and TBI-related headaches have been denied service connection, with the Board finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.,Further examination is required to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder, TBI, headache disorder, vision disorder, or hypertension that is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of service-connected labyrinthitis, the nature and etiology of any headache disability, including residuals of a head injury such as traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic headaches, and whether TDIU should be granted.