Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,A rating of 20 percent for the right ankle disability prior to November 6, 2017 is granted. From November 6, 2017, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for TBI due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision, including reliance on an inadequate September 2013 VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains at a 10% rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI has been granted a rating of 70 percent from March 31, 2020. The Veteran’s urge incontinence remains rated at 40 percent and is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's TBI. A new examination or telehealth interview is needed to determine if the Veteran has residuals of TBI related to his military service.

The Veteran's TBI with headaches is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms. The claim for a higher disability rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for frostbite of the left and right feet were denied, but his claim for low back pain was granted.,Service connection was established for low back pain, with a finding that it began during service.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI was granted a rating of 50 percent from February 6, 2007 to July 18, 2009.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability and TBI, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and headaches has been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the claims, particularly regarding the presence of TBI.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed TBI.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran has residuals of a TBI related to service. Additional VA medical opinions are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Headaches, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease, C5-C6 (neck disorder) and residuals of traumatic brain injury due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active duty training or service.,The Board also denied special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance and/or due to housebound status as the appellant does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as there is no current evidence of a TBI or its residuals.

The Veteran's initial claim for a scar of the head was denied as his single scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for residuals of TBI and right knee condition were both denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or illness. Service connection for left knee condition, migraine headaches, and pulmonary condition were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a TBI and head scar, right orbit, to ensure compliance with the August 2019 remand directive. The AOJ must obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed TBI and head scar.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran and his opting into the new appeals system.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, left ankle disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral leg disabilities were granted. A rating of 10 percent was assigned for left knee chondromalacia from February 28, 2010.