Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tremors is reopened, and the claims for traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and alcohol use disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI has been granted a 50 percent rating, and he is also granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability. The Veteran was also granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeal of service connection for a residual scar, status-post laceration, head injury is dismissed. The claims for service connection for vein disorders of the bilateral legs and migraines are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and a Seizure Disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions. The claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection to bilateral hearing loss disability and TBI have been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted, while the claim for TBI remains pending as it does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the service-connected fractured zygomatic arch and has remanded the Veteran's claims regarding tension headaches, PTSD with cognitive disorder, and residuals of TBI.

The Board has determined that the claims for TBI and headaches ratings, as well as the TDIU claim, require additional development due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for TBI, adjustment disorder with depression, and headaches. These claims are being remanded to allow VA to review this new evidence.,No new or relevant evidence was found for the claim of hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider certain VA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, claimed as chronic sinusitis, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and traumatic brain injury also claimed as depression is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an advisory opinion from an independent medical expert to assess the Veteran's ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left foot frostbite residuals have been granted increased ratings of 30 percent each, effective from the date of the decision. Additionally, a TDIU rating has been granted based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TBI is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has ordered additional development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury are granted at a separate 10% evaluation prior to December 14, 2018 and as a total disability evaluation thereafter.

The Veteran's memory loss is found to be secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder with TBI and major neurocognitive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, left upper extremity cold injury/frostbite residuals, right upper extremity cold injury/frostbite residuals, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and sleep disorder), initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for right foot-right big toe injury residuals, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the need for further development of evidence.