Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for additional VA etiology opinions to address the Veteran's reported symptoms in service and thereafter, including those related to peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities and chronic frostbite conditions of the hands.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including comprehensive neuropsychological testing and retrospective medical opinions regarding range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The appellant's exposure to herbicide agents is not established, so a medical opinion on early-onset presumptive service connection is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite, diagnosed as left hand arthritis, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance and that there is a nexus between the Veteran's in-service frostbite injury and his current left hand arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI remains denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for consideration of additional evidence, and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of calcaneal/osseous spurs.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected headaches and TBI with PTSD and MDD was denied. The Veteran's headache disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from May 5, 2023. His TBI with PTSD and MDD remains rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, headaches, vertigo, and tinnitus due to missing medical records and the need for VA examinations. The PACT Act is not applicable as the Veteran did not participate in toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating.,Service connection for TBI was denied due to lack of evidence supporting its occurrence during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and TBI/post-concussion syndrome with headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The claim for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI symptoms are currently rated at 70 percent combined, and the Board has remanded for further evaluation. Separate ratings for PTSD and TBI have not been granted due to overlapping symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for TBI and lumbosacral strain with arthritis and IVDS are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are granted with a 100% rating, effective from May 20, 2010. The PTSD claim is also granted, but the Veteran does not receive an earlier effective date for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if her TBI is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically focusing on his National Guard service records and personnel files.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI and prostate cancer. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions as well as determining whether he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 26, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and PTSD due to a lack of current disability evidence. The claim for PTSD is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran suffered from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its residuals, as claimed. The Veteran's service records indicate he was involved in a motor vehicle accident during service which resulted in a C2 fracture and fusion. He also reported dizziness or fainting spells at his separation examination.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial disability rating for TBI are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed. The claims for service connection for a right leg condition and TBI are remanded.