Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The left ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, posttraumatic headaches with TBI were rated at 10 percent prior to May 31, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter, and the trauma/stressor-related disorder was rated at 70 percent but no higher prior to May 31, 2019. The appeals are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as the current evidence is not sufficient to fully inform the Board on the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI, Right Shoulder Disability, and Right Knee Disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a traumatic brain injury and evaluation of cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, previously rated as neck strain. The Veteran's claim is based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI was denied in April 2011, but reopened and granted effective January 26, 2018. The Board found no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of such disability.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claim for TBI remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a TBI is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an eye disability, including light sensitivity, peripheral vision loss, and a night vision condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for a traumatic brain injury. A new VA examination is required to determine if the appellant's current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury secondary to his service-connected tinnitus is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent from November 24, 2015, to February 8, 2017, and from April 1, 2017, to April 24, 2018. His claim for a TDIU is dismissed due to the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his ankle disabilities, service connection for neck and back disabilities, and right wrist disability have been dismissed. The claim of service connection for residuals of head injuries (including TBI and lacunar infarct) and headaches has been reopened.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability but granted a TDIU rating from September 16, 2017. The issue of TDIU prior to that date is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examinations for TBI and psychiatric disorders, which are intrinsically intertwined.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Hypothyroidism as there is no current evidence of a disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied extraschedular ratings for frostbite residuals of the hands and feet, but has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's OSA is also being remanded to obtain an additional medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, hiatal hernia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to lack of evidence showing that his TBI began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The claims for increased evaluations for migraine headaches and right fifth toe fracture, as well as the TDIU claim, are remanded for further development.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraine headaches, right shoulder disability, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, and left knee and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable, which may affect the outcome of these claims.

The Veteran's TBI, headaches, intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, tinnitus, left wrist sprain, right wrist sprain, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have led to a TDIU being granted. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities significantly impair his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied entitlement to service connection for cause of death.