Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for lumbar spine disability was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is granted.,TDIU benefits are granted, with the issue of a higher rating for right ankle disability being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved questions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current cognitive complaints, including her TBI residuals. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for private neurological treatment records and all relevant Vista Imaging records are requested.

The claims of service connection for an abnormal growth on the back of the head and appendectomy scar have been dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.,The claim of service connection for a TBI has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current TBI is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA).,The claims of service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability have been denied. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an injury, event, or disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Sleep Apnea, finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings as the Veteran timely opted into the modernized appeals process under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The claims of service connection for PTSD, low back disability, TBI, and peripheral neuropathy have been granted in full.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but further evaluations are needed to determine the appropriate ratings and effective dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to failure to comply with previous remand directives. The TBI claim requires a new VA examination, while the increased rating claims need rescheduling.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection for TBI and psychiatric disabilities, specifically Persistent Depressive Disorder. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 27, 2014. The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent since June 17, 2019. The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of an in-service TBI and for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being reviewed again with new evidence submitted since February 2005.

The Board dismissed all claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates related to the service-connected posttraumatic headaches with migraine features, TBI and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder/unspecified trauma/stressor related disorder with residuals of TBI disability precludes him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective March 12, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent, effective March 14, 2018. The Veteran also receives a TDIU for the period prior to October 9, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Traumatic Brain Injury with Bipolar Disorder and Tension Headaches are being remanded due to the need for further examination and testing.

The Board has restored service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and epilepsy as secondary to service-connected residuals of a TBI, effective from December 1, 2017.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for TBI was granted, and he is now entitled to a grant of service connection. His left knee disability remains rated at 20 percent. The increased rating claim for his left knee disability was denied. Service connection claims for depression secondary to TBI, right knee patellar tendon rupture as secondary to service-connected left knee disability and/or TBI, and bilateral hearing loss were all remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and proceedings due to issues related to service connection, TDIU, and exposure. The effective date of any award will be determined based on the evidence provided.

The Board has granted service connection for a TBI but has remanded the issue of service connection for a parafalcine meningioma due to exposure to burn pits during military service. The Veteran's meningioma is being evaluated under presumptive service connection based on exposure to toxic substances.

The Veteran's TBI symptoms, including mild memory loss and headaches, are rated at 10 percent. Separate ratings of 10 percent each are granted for tinnitus and vertigo associated with service-connected TBI. The rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The cases for Neck Disability and Low Back Disability are remanded as the VA etiology opinions did not comply with the remand directives.