Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with TBI, and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, right wrist disability, and right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, TBI, headaches, right ring finger fracture, scar of the proximal right lateral calf, and proximal right anterior thigh scars were denied. The VA determined that the current evidence did not support higher disability evaluations based on the severity of the service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and residuals of a traumatic brain injury due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling medical examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA compensation standards.,For his right shoulder strain, right elbow condition, frostbite on feet, and nasal and ear conditions, the Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Right Shoulder Strain have been granted. The TBI claim is based on direct evidence linking the current condition to service, while the Right Shoulder Strain claim is also supported by direct evidence of an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with residuals of TBI and alcohol use disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain treatment records from Dr. Ann(e) and to schedule him for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, head injury/TBI, and residual head injury scar have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection has been granted for all four conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2014. From April 9, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined disability rating of 100 percent, which moots any TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to the need to arrange a VA examination for the Veteran's TBI. The issues of rating higher than 10 percent for TBI and SMC at the housebound rate are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims related to his TBI, seizures, mood and cognitive disorder, OSA, and headaches. The AOJ must obtain clarification regarding the frequency of the Veteran's nocturnal episodes as seizures and provide a rationale for any changes in the examiner's findings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and traumatic brain injury due to additional development being required.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ear otitis media, and an acquired psychiatric disability are reopened. The claim for service connection for TBI is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board found no evidence of a TBI during service and denied the claim as there was insufficient credible evidence to support the Veteran's reported in-service fall down a flight of stairs resulting in loss of consciousness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. As of October 14, 2015, the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address service connection claims for right eyebrow scar, TBI/TBI residuals, vertigo, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board will not assign a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the appendectomy scar.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, finding that the evidence does not show current residuals of a TBI occurring in service.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, hemorrhoids, and traumatic brain injury have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,There are conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.