Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeals for bilateral flatfeet and left ankle disorder. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted, with service connection established based on in-service noise exposure. The claims for right great toe disorder, bilateral foot disorders (other than flatfeet), left knee disorder, and TBI are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, spina bifida, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including as residuals from TBI). Service connection was denied for bilateral pes planus and total abdominal hysterectomy.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's low back disability due to an in-service injury. The Board found that her current condition is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The claims are being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and TBI due to new evidence submitted since previous denials. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to outstanding VA treatment records and an inadequate January 2018 VA opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a TBI is now pending.

The Veteran's request for clothing allowances based on the use of knee braces is denied because the braces are not used to treat a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing request.

The Veteran's TBI with neurocognitive disorder is rated at 40 percent since May 26, 2018. A compensable rating for residuals of a skull fracture is denied. Effective May 6, 2015, the Veteran is granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with depressive disorder NOS and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the combined effects of his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated medical records, personnel records, and verification of in-service events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from February 21, 2017 due to insufficient discussion of relevant evidence and failure to consider initial effective dates. The case is returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of frostbite of both feet and remanded the issue of service connection for soft tissue carcinoma to include lipoma as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no evidence of current disability related to an in-service head injury.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with TBI residuals resulted in occupational and social impairment, leading to a grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from February 3, 2010 to March 25, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased rating for TBI was granted, with a 10% rating assigned since February 18, 2019. The effective date is not specified as the appeal does not involve service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for mild traumatic brain injury with mild cognitive and memory disorder residuals, as secondary to his service-connected right knee condition, and denied a temporary total rating based on convalescence following his fall in March 2012.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of TBI have been reopened, but the claim for right ear hearing loss has not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's TBI claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of travel expenses was denied because it was not filed within the required 30-day period after completing the travel, which included emergency treatment.