Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, as he requires regular assistance due to his cognitive impairments and physical limitations. The Board has also determined that SMC T is not warranted given the Veteran's condition does not require higher level care.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, hypertension, laceration of the head, laceration of the mouth, blisters of the left foot, left eye disability, and left knee disability. The claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI and PTSD is denied. The claims for tinnitus, respiratory disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are granted on a presumptive basis due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Appellant's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for the Veteran’s cause of death, and has remanded the case for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and sleep disorder with chronic fatigue due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, a right knee disability, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, and traumatic brain injury. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI residuals and tension headaches, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, headaches, back condition, nose condition, bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral syndrome with hyperextension injury and suspected ACL involvement of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and residuals of a right shoulder injury. The Board has determined that further development is needed for these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, left shoulder paresthesia, right hand paresthesia, and left hand paresthesia due to lack of a current diagnosis. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, and major depressive disorder.,All three conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA eye examination and updated information regarding his unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a headache disorder, residuals of a head injury, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from August 3, 2009 to September 15, 2013. The TDIU is based on his PTSD and related psychiatric impairments.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TBI is service-connected. The remaining issues of abdominal pain, bilateral foot disorder, epididymitis infection, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, and left hand numbness are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for Traumatic Brain Injury and Generalized Seizure Disorder due to inadequate VA examinations, new evidence added since the last decision, and potential Army Reserve service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his functional limitations caused by his service-connected disabilities, and their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's condition was an emergent medical emergency, and VA facilities were not feasibly available at the time of her treatment. Therefore, payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred by non-VA providers is granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and TBI residuals was denied. The right ankle injury, right ear hearing loss, and right knee disorder were remanded due to insufficient examination findings.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right knee disorder is also pending.

The claim for service connection for TBI and residuals of TBI, a balance condition, and blurred vision is denied. The claims for service connection for a balance condition and blurred vision are remanded.