Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of his credibility regarding stressor events in service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TBI residuals are not related to his active duty service and requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, dementia, and PTSD), and traumatic brain injury are not service-connected.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the reduction of ratings for left forehead scar and TBI residuals. The reasons are that VA treatment records from September 2015 onwards, as well as SSA disability award records, need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia caused a TBI in August 2006, leading to his persistent vegetative state and need for regular aid and attendance. The Board granted service connection for residuals of the TBI and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, a headache condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no evidence of a current disability at any point during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Headaches, but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's TBI residuals and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including a seizure disorder, is granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased rating claims, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of SMC based on housebound status is dismissed. A rating of 70 percent for TBI residuals is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder with TBI, as well as post-concussion headaches, have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 9, 2009 for the grant of TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bowel condition, bladder dysfunction, PTSD, TBI, sleeping disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities have been denied.,Service connection was not established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was granted with an effective date of February 1, 2016.,The Veteran's TBI claim was also granted with an effective date of September 6, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left wrist disability and an increased rating to 50 percent for TBI with PTSD.

The Board has granted a separate initial rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's TBI, subject to rules and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's TBI symptoms of hearing loss and recurrent daily dizziness moderately interfere with his work, instrumental activities of daily living, work, family, or other close relationships.