Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the knees and legs, tendonitis of the knees, a bilateral foot disability, residuals of a cold weather injury (frostbite), skin disorder (eczema), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and requires an addendum opinion from a medical examiner regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with residuals of traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for sterility and bilateral flatfeet was granted. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, Left Hip Disability, increased rating for migraine headaches prior to January 20, 2015, and earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is required including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been granted a 100% disability rating throughout the period on appeal. The Board also remanded for further development regarding separate ratings for TBI and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI residuals and migraine headaches need further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinus condition, and respiratory condition due to insufficient evidence or further clarification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and PTSD have been denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for hepatitis C has not been granted, as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an effective date earlier than August 11, 2010.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but he has not been granted a permanent and total disability rating for any of his service-connected conditions. The Board denies the claim as there is no legal basis to grant Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, TBI residuals, and mood disorder associated with TBI are all rated at their maximum levels. The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), head scar, and amnestic disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are now pending for further adjudication.

The Veteran's TBI and related conditions are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent changes in his condition following a motor vehicle accident on or around May 21, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neuromotor disease, including ALS and PMA, has been reopened. The claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. A separate rating of 10 percent for double vision due to retinal detachment with traumatic cataract is granted. TDIU benefits are granted effective January 30, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a compensable initial rating prior to July 17, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent on and after July 17, 2017, for residuals of TBI have all been dismissed due to the Veteran's requests to withdraw these appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to render him materially less capable of resisting his heart disease, which caused his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA medical records. The Board also ordered VA examinations to determine if the Veteran has each of his claimed disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain, left ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability, respiratory disability, right ear hearing loss, CFS, and memory loss have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.,The claim for TBI residuals has been remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of TBI or head injury, and the maximum schedular rating for recurrent tinnitus has already been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of residuals from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.