Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as there is no credible evidence of a TBI occurring in service, and any current diagnosis is not linked to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in August 2014 were inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back, neck, TBI, and psychiatric conditions. The issues have been returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with residuals of traumatic brain injury is rated at 50 percent prior to January 13, 2020. From January 13, 2020, the rating remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD, sinusitis with epistaxis, and residuals of a nasal injury. The compensable initial rating for the residuals of a nasal injury is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for his left and right foot frostbite disorders from 30 percent to 70 percent effective December 5, 2019. The appeal of the reduction in rating was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has been granted, and the appeal is dismissed as moot because the benefits sought have already been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI with memory loss and for TDIU prior to March 19, 2008 due to the need for updated evidence. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding the nature and likely cause of any TBI residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The appellant withdrew their appeals for all service connection issues except PTSD and TDIU, resulting in the dismissal of these appeals.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and remanded the claim for a low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and higher initial ratings in a Statement of the Case, which led to dismissal of all pending issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the July 2019 decision, and the Veteran wishes for the RO to review this additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeals regarding TBI, headaches, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance have been withdrawn. The appeal regarding the left knee condition is remanded.

The Veteran's TBI with post-concussive headaches was rated at 10 percent from April 14, 2014 to December 20, 2016. From December 21, 2016, the Veteran received a rating of 70 percent for his TBI with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TBI is granted as service-connected, and a 10 percent rating for GERD prior to March 6, 2020 is also granted.,A 30 percent rating for GERD from March 6, 2020 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a traumatic brain injury, finding that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of TBI in-service or immediately thereafter. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the Veteran's contentions.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was denied in July 2010, and the AOJ found that new evidence did not demonstrate his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Veteran filed claims for increased ratings and reopened previously denied claims after July 14, 2014.

The Veteran's current cognitive problems and seizures are related to his in-service traumatic brain injury, which is considered a direct service connection.