Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet as there was no evidence of a cold injury during active duty or after service, and any current complaints were not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to February 7, 2014, but granted a 70% disability rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's cognitive residuals of TBI are granted a 10 percent evaluation from October 2, 2007 to October 22, 2008. Since October 23, 2008, the Veteran is granted a 40 percent evaluation for his cognitive residuals of TBI.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete examinations and missing records. The Veteran's right foot disability, TMJ dysfunction, hypothyroidism, and TBI are all under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and a skin disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder and a TBI disability rating are being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for TBI was denied. The claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 31, 2016, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to appear for scheduled examinations and VA attempts to contact him. The issues include cervical spine disability, CVA/TBI with headaches, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, eye/cataracts disability, skin disability, lung disability, and kidney disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for Traumatic Brain Injury and Headaches due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as evidenced by his employment history and the lack of cooperation in obtaining information for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10% and his acquired psychiatric disability is not service-connected. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10% for the period prior to October 19, 2017, and denied service connection for the acquired psychiatric disability. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 100 percent for the entire appeal period, from July 5, 2012 to July 5, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining an addendum opinion addressing various theories of entitlement for service connection.

The Veteran's TBI with post concussive subjective cognitive impairment is not manifested by any facet at Level 3 impairment, and therefore the claim for an evaluation higher than 40 percent has been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, traumatic brain injury, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence establishing a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to incomplete records and need for additional information regarding employment status.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss but remanded the issue of service connection for traumatic brain injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), sleep disorder, TBI, head scar, and skull disorder are now pending.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to January 21, 2020, and this rating has also been denied. The TBI was also rated at 10 percent prior to January 21, 2020, and the appeal for a higher rating on this issue is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been remanded.