Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with TBI was denied, and his claim for a 10 percent rating for migraine headaches with aura as secondary to PTSD with TBI was granted.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 50% rating, the residuals of traumatic brain injury prior to March 21, 2018 are denied, and from March 21, 2018 forward, a higher rating is denied. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine receives a 40% rating, and service connection for erectile dysfunction as a residual of TBI is granted.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are not found to cause the need for aid and attendance, leading to a remand for further clarification.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the definition of a VA compensation disability.,The Veteran's foot condition, diagnosed as left foot plantar wart, and back condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's migraines (claimed as secondary to TBI) and cysts are also remanded for further evaluation.,No service connection is granted for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an upper respiratory condition and a traumatic brain injury are granted. The rating for left ankle strain and left hip strain is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 16, 2013. All service connection claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and migraine headaches have been granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities and TBI due to new evidence received after a previous denial.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of increased ratings for frostbite injuries to both feet, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Veteran needs to provide more details about his employment with his local church.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a traumatic brain injury and associated residuals is granted, as the Board finds that he experienced in-service events resulting in a traumatic brain injury which caused residual symptoms during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TBI. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's TBI, migraine headache disorder, and left foot disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's headaches due to TBI are now rated at 30 percent disabling, effective from December 3, 2019. Prior to this date, the rating was non-compensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his TBI is related to service. The current rating and effective date are not applicable as this decision only addresses the issue of reopening the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The left knee strain, TBI residuals, PTSD with TBI, radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, and radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities were not granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for TBI and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, including TBI.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40% rating prior to January 6, 2021. The other claims for TBI, headache disorder, and stressor related disorder are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI and lung disability.