Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for central sleep apnea as a residual of TBI is granted. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TBI are reopened.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of headaches has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request.,A 40 percent rating is granted for TBI, effective from January 31, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a service-connected mood disorder, an initial compensable rating for a service-connected TBI, and entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied entitlement to an effective date prior to May 26, 2010 for the grants of service connection for residuals of TBI with depression, right knee replacement, left knee sprain with instability, right knee scar and left knee sprain with limitation of flexion.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury as the evidence does not support a finding that these symptoms are related to an in-service incident.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for TBI and service connection for a right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including as secondary to a service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI), due to insufficient evidence in the record and the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for PTSD and TBI have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his TBI residuals was granted effective March 11, 2016. The Board determined that the evidence showed he should have received a 40% rating in the year prior to March 11, 2016.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TBI residuals do not warrant a compensable rating, and therefore remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for headaches and residuals of closed head injury were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for vertigo as a residual of the service-connected residuals of closed head injury, but with a separate rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and scheduling for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as no indication of intent to apply prior to November 26, 2014 was found.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.,The Veteran's TBI claim requires clarification due to insufficient rationale in the August 2017 VA examination report.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the low back disability (DDD at L4-L5).,Left wrist and left shoulder conditions require a new VA examination for proper assessment.,Hypertension, gastroenteritis, and sleep apnea are remanded issues as no specific service connection theory or exposure basis is provided.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, frostbite injuries in each extremity, left elbow mild degenerative arthritis, right shoulder bursitis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and hypertension, have resulted in the need for aid and attendance due to functional limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for TBI due to conflicting evidence regarding current diagnoses and a need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, left knee patellar tendonitis, bilateral metatarsalgia, sinusitis, and schizoaffective disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability in all cases.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD has been granted at a 50 percent level, effective the date of claim. The ratings for lumbosacral sprain and TBI remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI-related issues and bilateral hip/knee conditions, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected post-concussive headaches, residuals of traumatic brain injury, finding that his condition is characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for increased ratings for heel spurs and frostbite residuals, as well as a TDIU claim. The Board has granted increased ratings of 30 percent for left and right foot heel spurs during the entire appeal period. The issues regarding increased ratings for frostbite residuals and TDIU are remanded.