Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's TBI is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, specifically focusing on whether any cognitive disabilities related to the TBI have been aggravated.

The Veteran's TBI is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms not warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending appeals before the Board, including hearings scheduled for him.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records from San Diego VAMC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is granted. The application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be related to his current diagnoses of OSA, hypertension, GERD, heart disease, and stroke. The Veteran's headaches are rated as 50% disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly knee, back, shoulder, heart, TBI, and headache. Additional development is required including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore, the claim is denied.,For the remaining claims, the Board finds insufficient evidence to determine whether any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on a presumptive basis due to the appellant's active duty in Kuwait. The issue of service connection for TBI remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the RO must reassess his TDIU claim for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has severed service connection for TBI, migraine headaches, and partial loss of taste due to CUE. Service connection for cervical herniated disc remains intact.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head injury (with amnesia) and traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of TBI was denied. The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a 50% disability rating, but the ratings for painful scar of the right great toe and residual scar of the right great toe remain at non-compensable levels.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder, is also denied. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have such condition during his period of active service and it is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's TBI is currently remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's ratings for migraine headaches and TBI residuals were restored to their original levels, effective November 1, 2018.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI residuals is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, leading to the dismissal of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for several issues, including increased disability ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The left knee issue requires an SOC due to non-compliance with prior Board directives. The thoracic and lumbar spondylosis, adjustment disorder, TBI, and post-traumatic headaches issues require additional examinations and assessments.

The Veteran's TBI and related headaches are granted as service-connected.,A cervical spine condition is also granted as service-connected, likely due to an in-service injury.