Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of in-service medical records and incomplete opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD, TBI, and left shoulder disability. The claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as his combined disability rating of 70% already reflects the impact on his employment.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for several service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing impairment meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's TBI was evaluated at a 40 percent rating, with an additional 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The headaches were separately rated at 50 percent effective August 16, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's traumatic brain injury residuals. The claim will be reviewed again with additional evidence and a specialized medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for TBI and headaches have been remanded due to unclear effective dates and potential pyramiding issues.

The Board has decided to remand this case due to the need for additional development regarding whether injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident were incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, and if so, whether they are related to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations and earlier effective dates for service-connected disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and kidney disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate or based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diplopia was reopened, and he is granted a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis. The claims for service connection for an eye condition and traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Veteran's TBI has been rated at a 40 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and TBI is rated at 70 percent effective October 16, 2015. The rating was increased to 70 percent from January 31, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and effective date claims related to TBI residuals, headache disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, PTSD with depressive disorder, and left eyebrow scar residuals. The issues of increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depressive disorder; and entitlement to total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's right toe conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, eye disability, asthma, hypertension, stomach disability, TBI, and headaches have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI and headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, shell fragment wound to left muscle group III, hearing loss, and TBI, rendered him unemployable as of May 26, 2011. His effective date for a total disability based upon individual unemployability is set at this date.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and a need for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits information.

Your initial rating for lumbar spine condition has been increased to 40 percent effective October 29, 2014. Your right ankle, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee conditions have each received a 10 percent initial rating effective October 29, 2014.,Your residuals of traumatic brain injury have also been rated as 10 percent disabling effective October 29, 2014.