Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of qualifying conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of a TBI, an increased evaluation for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, an increased rating for his Achilles tendon rupture, a compensable evaluation for his scar, and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for some of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, attributing it to the Veteran's essential hypertension and noting that his hypertension began more than 40 years after service. The Board also denied service connection for TBI due to lack of evidence of a head injury during service.,There is no direct evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to service or any presumptive exposure, leading to denial of both issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee strain, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his treatment locations during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, traumatic brain injury, degenerative arthritis of spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, and TDIU due to unclear records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, which include right ankle and fibula traumatic arthritis, PTSD with TBI, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, cervical spine spondylosis, flexor tendonitis of the wrists, and disc bulges of the thoracolumbar spine. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are granted an initial rating of 50 percent. The service-connected dysthymic disorder, associated with TBI, is denied any increase in rating. Service connection for the right and left fifth cranial nerve paralyses, hearing loss, and low back disorder is granted.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD with TBI and recurrent major depressive disorder with psychotic features from January 9, 2012 to June 20, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, residuals of traumatic brain injury, high blood pressure, and a skin disability to obtain additional VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a traumatic brain injury due to new evidence received since his previous denial. The TBI claim is pending, but requires further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of TBI and service connection for TDIU due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board is remanding several issues including those related to PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, dizziness, low back condition, right and left foot conditions, and a right ankle condition. The Veteran must be scheduled for VA examinations to evaluate these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal, finding that his discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct. The evidence did not support a finding of insanity at the time of the offenses.

The Board has denied revising the October 2007 rating decision on CUE, but has remanded several service connection claims for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied as there are no current residuals of a TBI and the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his in-service injuries.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no medical evidence linking his current headaches to his in-service reports of headaches, which resolved after the IED blast.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye condition is denied as there is no ocular etiology or eye condition responsible for his subjective complaints of light sensitivity and eye pain.

The Veteran's left arm scar and traumatic brain injury have been rated as noncompensable, and the Board is remanding these issues for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to determine appropriate ratings for his service-connected radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, left lower extremity, and bilateral hallux valgus. The effective date claims are also deferred pending further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing he is in need of regular aid and assistance as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.