Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's depression is granted, and his headaches are found to be proximately due to his service-connected depression. The Board also grants a compensable evaluation for the residual fracture of the displacement of left zygoma and zygomatic arch.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his employment in a family-owned funeral home and other part-time work did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for gout, frostbite, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension due to lack of current diagnoses or persistent symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence in several areas, including PTSD severity since January 2010, TDIU prior to February 26, 2013, and SMC based on aid and attendance needs.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new examination to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of TBI and whether it is related to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a separate rating of TBI residuals and also denied the claim for increased rating, finding that the earliest allowable effective date is May 27, 2009.

The Veteran's effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied as it was granted on June 27, 2017.,An increased rating for TBI residuals with cognitive and sleep disorders (post-concussion disorder) is denied as the evidence does not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to the date of his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding his claims of service connection for low and mid back pain and traumatic brain injury. The initial rating for generalized anxiety disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50% effective November 4, 2014. The reduction of his TBI rating from 40% to 10% is granted as proper. A rating in excess of 40% for his TBI residuals is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for migraine headaches has been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, frostbite of the left foot, frostbite of the right foot, and a left knee disorder were denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence showing possible connections to in-service incidents.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and memory loss have been dismissed. The appeal for residuals of TBI has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment due to lack of loss or permanent loss of use of hands or feet, ankylosis of knees or hips, or vision impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence of in-service TBI or associated residuals.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, glaucoma, headaches, malaria, and TBI. The Veteran is also seeking to reopen his claim for arthritis of the right shoulder, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and a bladder condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires an additional VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's TBI.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding the service connection claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury, migraines, and right shoulder muscle spasm with bursitis.,An addendum opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or aggravated by a pre-existing condition.