Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, specifically regarding service connection for TBI, blurred vision secondary to TBI, headaches secondary to TBI, and low back disability. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for dizzy spells, nausea, and memory loss claimed as residuals to a traumatic brain injury; a right knee condition; anemia; and a stomach disorder (including irritable bowel syndrome) due to receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Board has dismissed these matters.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The low back disability issue is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is dismissed. The issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for major depressive disorder with traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to unclear medical records prior to June 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD and frostbite residuals was denied by the Board. The TDIU was granted effective October 13, 2011, but the Veteran sought an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a traumatic brain injury with migraines and cervical spine disability due to inconsistencies in his reported incidents. The evidence does not support finding that he sustained a traumatic brain injury during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to properly evaluate his TBI and its impact on his psychiatric symptoms, including hallucinations and depression.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for TBI residuals with PTSD and migraine headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including residuals of a head injury and thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: increased ratings for TBI and psychiatric disabilities, and the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that there is insufficient competent medical evidence to conclusively decide the claim for service connection of TBI. The case is therefore being remanded for a VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's migraines have been granted an increased rating to 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The TBI and PTSD ratings remain unchanged.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, sleep disorder, anxiety disorder, TBI, head scar, and skull disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, TBI, and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to new and material evidence received since the July 2012 rating decision. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI, dizziness associated with TBI, and PTSD due to additional VA treatment records being added to the record after the most recent statement of the case. A VA examination is also required to determine if the Veteran sustained a TBI in service and any current residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of his disabilities, including anxiety disorder, depression, TBI, PTSD, and low back disability, require additional evidence and a re-evaluation. The claims are being remanded to obtain missing VA records, conduct further examinations, and determine the appropriate evaluations.