Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including TBI and PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to review all new evidence since the last statement of the case and determine if any benefits can be granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and traumatic brain injury are being remanded due to incomplete evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and determination of service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and sleep disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current residuals of a TBI, including headaches and memory loss, arose during active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability, sleep apnea, and TBI. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and headaches are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective March 29, 2004 on an extraschedular basis due to his inability to work since October 2000.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, TBI, and meningitis residuals, is being remanded due to the failure to readjudicate it as directed in the April 2019 Board remand.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the failure to schedule and conduct VA examinations. The Veteran did not receive notification of the scheduled examinations, which resulted in his failure to attend.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle condition, TBI, migraines, neck condition, back condition, and nerve condition. The claims are granted in part. However, due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the left ankle condition, a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion from a suitable clinician.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the issues regarding a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and PTSD, as well as the rating and effective date issues related to PTSD, need further investigation. Specifically, they require an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s TBI is at least as likely as not related to an in-service head injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress himself, keep himself clean, feed himself, attend to personal needs, and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Veteran's ratings for Posttraumatic Headache Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury were restored to their previous levels due to the lack of improvement in symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no current diagnosis of TBI or its residuals, and the medical evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has experienced such injuries during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted and remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the in-service IED explosion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and traumatic brain injury are not supported by competent evidence of a nexus to his active service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions until many years after separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI residuals, finding that there is no current disability related to his in-service TBI. The Veteran's PTSD was already service-connected and attributed as the cause of his psychological symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and glaucoma secondary to TBI.,There is no probative medical evidence linking the Veteran’s current diagnoses of TBI and glaucoma to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and glaucoma have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.