Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and TDIU was remanded due to the need for further development. The effective date of service connection remains March 13, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety is rated at 30 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains pending.,The VA has remanded the issue of an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of TBI due to insufficient examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and migraine headaches have been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, a back condition, residuals of TBI, and headaches. The decision found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia or any other claimed conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI other than headaches, to include mood disorder and sleep disturbances due to lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as traumatic brain injury. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee, back, hip, and ankle conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the evaluation of the Veteran's TBI residuals. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of traumatic brain injury residuals was dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for dermatomycosis tinea, gastroenteritis, TBI, bilateral pes planus, a left ankle condition, and a left knee disability. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for headaches is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for PTSD, anxiety and depression, and TBI due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records and VA treatment records need to be obtained to determine if he sustained an in-service head injury that could lead to a current TBI.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI with major depressive disorder with anxious features is granted an initial 70 percent rating for the period prior to June 1, 2017. The claim for a higher disability rating and TDIU are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected panic disorder with bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left forearm and hand pain, as well as his back condition, do not have a direct relationship to service. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet and right knee condition (to include arthritis) have been denied. The claim for service connection for a right foot bunionectomy has resulted in a rating increase to 10 percent.,New evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for right foot hammertoes and right foot plantar calluses, but not for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet or right knee condition (to include arthritis).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot hammertoes is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion on direct service connection. The same applies to his claim for service connection for right foot plantar calluses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension have been dismissed. A 50% rating has been granted for migraine headaches.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of all issues, including those related to service connection and evaluations for various conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for TBI and anxiety disorder, NOS, and entitlement to a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's TBI has resulted in mild impairment of memory, occasional inappropriate social interactions, and occasional disorientation to one aspect. These symptoms result in a 40 percent schedular rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected status post fracture, right mandible and TBI are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand frostbite residuals and right hand frostbite residuals. The appeal is pending on remand for further development regarding bilateral knee trauma.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service frostbite, despite the Veteran’s assertions.