Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, and PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms of these conditions are believed to be related to an in-service head injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding requests and lack of proper communication regarding a DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and needs further verification of the Veteran's National Guard service. The claims will be reconsidered with all relevant records obtained.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for TBI residuals is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for updated medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to assess his visual spatial impairment.

The Board has found that there are pre-decisional duty to assist errors requiring further evidentiary development before the claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability can be adjudicated.

The appeals seeking service connection for cold/frostbite injuries of the right upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities are dismissed. The remaining issues, including PTSD, hearing loss, and TDIU, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evaluation of the severity of the Veteran's headaches without medication and during flare-ups, as well as his ability to engage in gainful work with and without medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during service and is granting service connection for this condition. The remaining issues, including those related to cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, memory disorders, and TDIU, are remanded due to inadequate or incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD conditions are currently evaluated together. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to differentiate between the severity of each condition, as well as to assess their impact on his employment.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, Seizure Disorder, Right Knee Condition, Left Knee Condition, and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Sleep Disturbances, and Anxiety). The decision also denied service connection for Psoriasis.,There was no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand burns has been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for TBI, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability have been dismissed due to voluntary withdrawal of the claims.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity were also dismissed due to voluntary withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left hand disabilities, as well as right and left elbow disabilities, due to insufficient medical opinions provided in previous examinations. The claims are being returned for further evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a liver condition and traumatic brain injury due to his withdrawal of appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's deviated septum is granted service connection, and his TBI residuals are granted a 10% rating. The scars of the head, face, or neck are denied initial compensable ratings prior to September 22, 2021, but granted a 30% rating from that date.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating decisions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's death claim, as well as claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite and PTSD. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back strain, TBI, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on November 28, 2015, at St. Peter's Hospital was denied because the VA facility (Fort Harrison Emergency Room) was feasibly available and prior authorization was not obtained.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for TBI with residuals, finding that no claim was filed before May 3, 1999.