Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address service connection for TBI, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability and TBI are remanded for further examination.

The Board has dismissed all appeals, including those for higher disability ratings and service connection claims, due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to outstanding treatment records from his time in Germany. The AOJ must obtain these records and provide an explanation if they cannot be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an effective date prior to August 5, 2021 for asthma service connection. Other claims are pending with remands for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, lumbar spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches and TBI are remanded for new examinations to assess their current severity. The issue of service connection for a sleep disorder is also remanded with an addendum VA examination opinion addressing the nature, onset, and continuity of such problems since service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood, and traumatic brain injury is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and a separate rating for his TBI due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his back disorder and the nature and severity of his TBI.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI were granted effective from May 14, 2014. The rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent, while the rating for TBI remained at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hiatal hernia, narcolepsy, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, attention deficit disorder, plantar fasciitis, postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), Lyme disease, and traumatic brain injury. The issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury due to inadequate examination and lack of VA treatment records from Cleveland, OH VAMC.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record, including records from the Veteran's 1968 hospitalization following a fall in the shower. The VA is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and schedule an examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, anxiety, or depression are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a headache disability, to include TBI. The cases are being returned for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and traumatic brain injury. The AOJ needs to consider new evidence added since the May 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, kidney transplant and residuals thereof, neck artery disability, leg bypass surgery and residuals thereof, left leg to right leg artery transplant and residuals thereof, and frostbite of hands and feet. The Veteran's service records are unavailable due to a fire, but VA must assist in the development of his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to inconsistencies in the June 2022 VA examination and the need for another opinion.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for PTSD and TBI is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding PFB scarring, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and examinations related to his service-connected PTSD, TBI, lumbar strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.