Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of TBI and TMD, finding that the disabilities arose during service but there was no claim filed prior to July 15, 2010.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and evaluations. The cases are pending further development.,Specifically, the Veteran's claim for a back disorder is being reviewed due to new evidence received.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal of the issue regarding service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Board dismissed this appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The claims for service connection for residuals of TBI, left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disability, left knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's service connection for a TBI related to an in-service head injury is remanded due to insufficient objective evidence and the need for another VA examination conducted by a specialist.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence related to his left ankle sprain. The other issues have been resolved by previous decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to a lack of credible evidence supporting his allegation that he experienced a TBI during service. The Board found that the Veteran's statements and medical records prior to 2010 consistently refuted his claims, including denials of head injuries, loss of consciousness, and concussions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The compensable ratings for loss of teeth 8, 9, and 10 and status post fracture maxillary alveolus are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with notification for a VA examination and because of the inextricability of the pension eligibility claim from the TBI service connection claim. The Veteran is required to report for an examination, and if he does not, documentation must be provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand are necessary due to the need for updated VA examinations, as well as for obtaining private medical records related to his PTSD and chronic headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and lack of adequate reasons for denying higher ratings for PTSD. The Veteran's sleep disorder claim is also pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite affecting various body parts, finding no current disability related to the Veteran's in-service cold injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already compensated for insomnia as a symptom of his PTSD, and there was no evidence of an earlier effective date for fibromyalgia or left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Service connection for photophobia, TBI, IBS, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and GERD were not established based on the provided medical opinions.

Service connection for TBI and left shoulder condition is restored. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of PTSD prior to July 8, 2016 is dismissed. Service connection for respiratory condition (to include asthma) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including skin disability (claimed as jungle rot), back disability, COPD, left and right ankle disabilities, frostbite disability, heart disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA is directed to obtain relevant medical records and provide the Veteran with notice regarding PTSD claims based on personal assault.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, frostbite residuals, and tinnitus as these conditions have been fully granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression, has been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence received since the June 2007 rating decision is material and grants this aspect of the appeal. However, the claims for bilateral foot disability (claimed as frostbite) and right great toe disability are remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for TBI with dizziness and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to assess his current severity of TBI, and the issue of TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives and a need for additional diagnostic testing.