Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the petition to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and acquired psychiatric disability, but granted the petition to reopen the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability. The extension of a temporary total rating based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence beyond July 31, 2012, and the extension of special monthly compensation beyond July 31, 2012, were also denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a head injury, including TBI and its residuals such as vertigo, memory loss, migraines, and light sensitivity, is remanded due to the need for additional private medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's traumatic brain injury. A new VHA expert opinion is needed from a neurologist.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all issues by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his frostbite conditions are found to be related to service. The claim for depression is also reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of service connection. Claims for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left ankle degenerative joint disease caused his 1998 fall from a tree resulting in a traumatic brain injury and seizure disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The stomach condition (irritable colon syndrome) claim was withdrawn, and the traumatic brain injury and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the TBI had onset in or is otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological disorder, including TBI and hydrocephalus, as well as his headaches, are related to service. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of symptoms during and after service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected TBI was voluntarily dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his head disability (TBI), neck disability, low back disability, heart disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for impaired vision in the left eye was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of an in-service event, injury or disease resulting in current impairment.,For the period from January 14, 2008 to October 30, 2011, the Veteran's claim for increased disability rating for conversion reaction was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of an increase in severity during service or since service.

All claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 22, 2009 for the award of service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Veteran's increased rating claim and TDIU claim are both remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion to clarify whether the Veteran has a mood disorder or depressive disorder distinct from his PTSD. The issues of service connection for these conditions are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and assessing their current severity. The issues are being remanded due to failure to schedule necessary VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran currently has a TBI and if it is related to an in-service blast injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, headaches, and vertigo. The issues include determining whether a TBI occurred during service, whether the current conditions are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, and whether there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury, to include traumatic brain injury (TBI), and for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.