Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2019

Service connection for headaches and residuals of TBI other than headaches is granted. Effective dates prior to November 20, 2014 are denied for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and effective date prior to September 11, 2014 is denied for a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, as there is no evidence that he requires regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including headaches, migraines, balance impairment, and memory loss, are related to his in-service exposure to an improvised explosive device (IED) blast. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an increased rating for her minor concussive syndrome, TBI. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of TBI, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and PTSD are denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI and PTSD are remanded for further development including VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of migraines associated with a TBI is also remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with TBI, finding that December 9, 2014 is the earliest legally possible effective date as it was the date of receipt of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of concussion/traumatic brain injury is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has residual symptoms from his in-service concussion/TBI, including headaches and dizziness.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is remanded due to incomplete records. The Board notes that it is unclear whether the Veteran’s reported symptoms are related to his service-connected rhino-septoplasty or a separate disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for a scar from laceration, left lower scalp was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The remaining issues of service connection and increased ratings were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or its residuals, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of herpes and traumatic brain injury, finding no credible evidence that either condition manifested during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance and housebound status, related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip strain is dismissed. The Board also finds that further development is necessary regarding the Veteran’s TBI and related ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, right knee strain, left knee strain, cervical strain prior to June 17, 2016, and lumbosacral strain from June 17, 2016 due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher levels of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities or need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, neck injury, headaches (including migraines), scar on the right forehead, and left ear disability due to conflicting evidence and lack of clear medical findings.

The Board has decided that service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but the issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury remains pending and requires further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left eye disability has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection for TBI, headaches, low back disability, right eye disability, and chronic disability due to residuals of metal embedded in the head.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted. An increased rating of 90 percent for the residuals, total hip replacement, is also granted. The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling due to limitation of flexion and extension. Special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's headaches, residual of traumatic brain injury are granted at a 50% rating prior to June 7, 2017.,A total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected headaches, residuals of traumatic brain injury is also granted.