Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for migraine headaches was granted with an effective date of October 10, 2017.,Special monthly compensation based on housebound in fact due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the October 2013 rating decision was granted with an effective date of June 27, 2012.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine DDD.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury, including TBI, is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied because there is no diagnosed TBI and the medical evidence does not support service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, as the evidence did not show a nexus to service. The Veteran's in-service symptoms were linked to alcohol abuse and withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected depression and TBI prior to May 23, 2016 and entitlement to TDIU prior to January 7, 2014 due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD prior to May 18, 2012 is granted. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot condition, which includes neuropathy and pain in his feet, is related to cold weather exposure during service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether this condition was caused by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's TBI residuals are related to service. The VA needs to provide a medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, gastroesophageal disorder, and heart disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and TBI with central vertigo are granted at a 70 percent rating from January 4, 2011 to April 2, 2014. A separate 70 percent rating is also granted after April 2, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and right foot drop have been remanded due to the need for new examinations.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot drop is also remanded as it may be related to an in-service football injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The issues of increasing the ratings for post head injury headaches, TBI with cognitive impairment, and dizziness associated with TBI are all before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the evidence of record.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The claims for service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for traumatic brain injury was denied, but his claim for migraines was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergies, TBI, joint pains, ventral hernia, migraines, small vessel brain ischemia, and atypical chest pain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis has been remanded for further review.,Service connection for TBI, insomnia, and narcolepsy is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a current examination and additional opinions to determine if his Meniere’s syndrome is related to his TBI, and whether he should be granted service connection for both conditions. The rating for Meniere’s syndrome remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for TBI with headaches and a separate compensable rating for headaches has been denied. The issue of whether the reduction of his hearing loss rating was proper is being remanded.