Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, residuals of TBI, and tinnitus have been denied. Effective January 28, 2012, the Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions.,Initial ratings for right shoulder strain and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for traumatic brain injury was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent effective December 1, 2016. The reduction was granted as there is no evidence of actual improvement in the disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and traumatic brain injury residuals due to incomplete service treatment records, lack of authorization for Social Security Administration records, and a request for authorization from Dr. P.M., Dr. R.L., and Erlanger Hospital.

The Board has denied service connection for a vision disability and an initial rating for tension headaches, but has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection awards, but the Board finds that no earlier effective dates are warranted.,The Veteran also seeks a higher rating for his TBI. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left shoulder disorder, hypertension, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus II, and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's initial rating for TBI is denied, and his initial compensable rating for headaches is also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support additional staged ratings for any time period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a combined evaluation higher than 60 percent, finding that his tinnitus condition was properly incorporated in the existing 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, and posttraumatic stress disorder have been denied. The current ratings are considered the maximum allowable under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's TBI disability rating was restored to 40 percent effective December 1, 2017. A total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted from August 13, 2015.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disability. The Board has remanded for further action on issues including service connection and rating for other conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of TBI due to withdrawal by his attorney. The claims for service connection of headaches and a chronic disability manifested by dizziness are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder, right arm disorder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), headache disorder, and cognitive impairment/memory loss. The decision is based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted because there was no medical opinion establishing a link between any of the claimed conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for TBI due to lack of current disability. The Board remanded the issues regarding left knee and right foot disabilities, as there is no clear evidence that they are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for residuals of a TBI due to incomplete development. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI residuals were found to have caused occupational and social impairment, but not at a level warranting an increased rating. Headaches received a compensable rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating of TBI and remanded the issues of service connection for right knee injury and sleep apnea.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the veteran's claims as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, frostbite residuals of the left and right feet, and tinnitus, are severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since April 30, 2012. The Board granted a rating of 70% effective from that date due to the severity of his symptoms including suicidal ideation and violent destruction of property.