Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of his death in June 2011. Service connection for other conditions (bilateral knee disability, right leg disability, right shoulder disability, jaw disability, bilateral gluteal muscle disability, and neck disability) are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI disability is evaluated under DC 8045 of the Rating Schedule. The Board finds that there are no facets, residuals, or impairments resulting from his service-connected TBI.,The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as the issue of entitlement to an initial 30 percent evaluation, and no higher, for residual scar status post neck laceration. The Veteran's claims are now pending before VA for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for dry eye syndrome and denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service complaints of blurred vision, decreased vision, and photophobia, which led to a diagnosis of dry eye syndrome. For TBI, the Board found no current residuals.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the issues of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury and recurrent brain tumors. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's TBI and associated Major Depressive Disorder have been granted service connection, but the disability rating for TBI is still under review due to worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a complete assessment of his lumbar spine disability and effective date issues due to incomplete records. The lumbar spine claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete hearing and potential outstanding medical records. Additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of his claimed conditions.

Service connection is granted for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).,Service connection is denied for a disability manifested by chronic sleep impairment, other than obstructive sleep apnea and major depressive disorder to include insomnia.

The Veteran's TBI and right eye injury ratings are being remanded due to increased symptoms reported at his September 2021 hearing. He needs to be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have worsened, and additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his PTSD, headaches, right ear hearing loss, CFS, fibromyalgia, IBS, GERD, sleep apnea, and TBI. The Veteran also has new claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of residuals of bilateral toe frostbite, thoracolumbar spine disability, and chest pain for further development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for service-connected PTSD and TBI, finding no factually ascertainable increase in disability within the one-year period preceding the July 17, 2008 claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and TBI, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected hydrocephalus. The remand also includes an examination of the Veteran's current symptomatology due to his hydrocephalus.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for right knee residual scar, service connection for chest trauma, and left knee disability have been denied. The Veteran's claim for TBI has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of traumatic brain injury (TBI), right shoulder disability have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, residuals of a head injury (TBI), migraine headaches, and major depressive disorder. The conditions are found to have had their onset in service or are proximately due to the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to August 26, 2016 due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for entitlement to a TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's TBI has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating from October 13, 2021. The claim for a compensable rating prior to September 14, 2020 was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back and neck conditions, major depressive disorder, traumatic brain injury, and right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 2016.