Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches have been rated at 30 percent since January 31, 2012.,Cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders are both remanded for further evaluation.,Residuals of TBI are also remanded for further evaluation.,Hypertension is remanded to determine if it is secondary to service-connected TBI or PTSD.,Right ear pain associated with the TBI is also remanded for a determination on its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to November 9, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for PTSD and TBI residuals from November 9, 2018 was also denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and migraine headaches are service-connected, but his TBI residuals are not. The decision also remanded the issue of a total disability based on individual unemployability prior to January 11, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed TBI residuals. The examiner did not consider all reported symptoms of a TBI, including uncontrollable emotions, sadness, uneasiness with discomfort, seeing and hearing others, feeling out of place, uncontrollable crying, sweating, panic attacks, irritability, shortness of breath, slurred speech, and nerve pain in his hands and feet. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition, but denied service connection for traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI disability did not render him so disabled as to require regular aid and attendance prior to September 27, 2016. The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury and a left ankle disorder, but finds that there is no evidence to support these claims. The Veteran's assertions are not supported by medical evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of PTSD, Major Depression, and Traumatic Brain Injury with Memory Loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues, including those related to traumatic brain injury, urinary incontinence, and right hip disability.,Issues such as service connection for TBI, urinary incontinence, and right hip disability are now pending before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and residuals of TBI due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. A new examination will be scheduled to address the Veteran’s concerns and provide comprehensive neuropsychiatric testing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury was dismissed because he opted into the AMA review system and his appeal was withdrawn from the legacy appeals process.

The Board dismissed the appeals for reopening service connection claims due to the Veteran's death, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a TBI, but the Veteran's PTSD claim is inextricably intertwined with this decision and must be remanded to determine its current severity. Outstanding VA treatment records are also needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examinations and opinions. The claims are now pending with the VA for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no evidence that his current cognitive issues are related to a TBI sustained during service.

The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury are currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has denied a higher evaluation. The issue of SMC is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and residuals of a head injury, including headaches and TBI. The VA will request an expert opinion to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the death of the appellant.