Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, TBI, chronic fever, a mole under the left eye, and various dental conditions were denied as there was no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's TBI is not related to his active duty service and denied service connection for this condition. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder, as well as the gonorrhea claim are remanded due to a lack of an opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision affirmed the current non-compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, a 10 percent rating for TBI, and a 10 percent rating for PVCs. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is reopened, and the Board has remanded his claims for PTSD with TBI, right knee internal derangement, and degenerative disc disease. A VA examination will be required to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for myoclonus (to include TBI).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to consider whether referral for consideration of an extraschedular rating is necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization forms for Brick Hospital, Ocean Medical Center, and Dr. Chulie.

The Board denied an increased initial rating for the Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury, finding that a 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disability, including residuals of frostbite on the right hand, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and back disabilities, finding that the Veteran had injuries during active duty which resulted in current disabilities.,Service connection was denied for TBI and migraine headaches as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to an acquired psychiatric condition, is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI is denied. The record lacks any indication of a TBI during his period of active duty service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition (including pes planus) is granted as service-connected, with the onset occurring in 1989 and aggravated by service.

The Veteran's TBI induced headaches are rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective June 26, 2015. The Board also found that the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea is not service-connected and remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury, finding that the evidence did not show a need for such assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, back, and TBI disabilities on a secondary basis. Service connection is also granted for his right hip, left hip, and sinus disabilities, but not for his right eye or kidney disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Residuals of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to in-service stressors, including military sexual trauma. The presumption of soundness applies as the disabilities preexisted service but were aggravated by service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all of the remaining issues, including increased ratings for TBI and migraine headaches, as well as service connection claims for various disabilities. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury and post-concussive migraine headaches with vision changes, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service head injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and residuals of a traumatic brain injury due to incomplete service treatment records and missing military personnel records. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine if his current cervical spine disorder is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss or loss of use other than an upper extremity, and he is not service-connected for a severe burn injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation.

The Veteran's TBI and posttraumatic headaches are remanded due to the need for police reports from his arrest on May 29, 2011.