Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for traumatic brain injury and its residuals, obstructive sleep apnea, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The issues of entitlement to these conditions are being remanded due to incomplete service personnel records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for seizures, TBI, sleep disorder, and lumbar spine strain. Service connection is granted for TBI and seizures, but denied for lumbar spine strain.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. His PTSD rating prior to July 1, 2014, is increased to 70 percent. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 28, 2017, is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for hearing loss, shoulder disability, and frostbite of the feet. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and complete his service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, back disability, and GERD have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for TBI was denied, and his claim for service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder (claimed as vertigo and dizziness) was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability for the claimed condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination regarding service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran must be provided another examination and opinion which appropriately addresses his lay and medical history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), right knee disability, respiratory disability, polycythemia vera, lower extremity neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, traumatic brain injury, and eye disability have all been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's alcohol use during service was related to his PTSD symptoms, which may impact the determination of TBI service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, migraines, a neck disability, a pulmonary disability, bilateral knee disabilities, hernia, sciatic nerve disability, bilateral foot disabilities, frostbite, and hypertension. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and residuals of a traumatic brain injury due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, TBI, and depression due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service records did not show any head injury or concussion on May 14, 2011, when the Veteran sustained a tibia fracture. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his headaches and TBI onset were inconsistent.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a TBI due to potential relevant Social Security Administration records not being obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of brain trauma and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran currently has residuals of TBI. The VA examiner's opinion is unclear and inconsistent with the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of TBI and headaches, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives. Additional opinions are needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s psychiatric symptoms and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including missing VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations for the Veteran's PTSD, TBI, and back disability claims.