Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis due to herbicide exposure. The issues of head injury residuals and seizures are remanded as the Veteran's claims have not been fully addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the legacy appeal system not being opted into the modernized review system.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral eye traumatic angle recession with pigmentary dispersion, peripheral vestibular disorder, PTSD with TBI, lumbosacral strain, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee strain, and right hip degenerative joint disease are all granted. The rating for the peripheral vestibular disorder is increased to 30 percent prior to June 15, 2022. The Veteran's PTSD with TBI remains at a 70 percent rating. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent. The right shoulder degenerative joint disease and right knee strain are both denied higher ratings. The right hip degenerative joint disease based on limitation of flexion is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder, hypertension, Meniere's disease, and traumatic brain injury as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or a link to service.,The Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish that any current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its July 2022 remand directives and thus the claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, second finger of the left hand disability, and TBI.,Further development is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis. The right wrist disability and residuals of TBI issues are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and lack of a clear opinion regarding whether the Veteran's TBI is related to service. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, headaches, sleep apnea, and a right knee disorder have been denied. The evidence did not substantiate the presence of these conditions during or related to active duty.

The Board denied a rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected posttraumatic headaches and granted an effective date of December 5, 2016, for the award of a separate 30 percent rating for these headaches. The decision also noted that the appellant's headaches are part of his TBI residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hand disability due to additional development being necessary. The issue of nonservice-connected pension is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a right hand injury, and the cases for residuals of chest shrapnel injury and TBI have been remanded.

The Veteran wishes to withdraw their appeal for service connection of traumatic brain injury. The Board has dismissed the issue.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for TBI was granted. Service connection for TBI is denied.,The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypothyroidism are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia with cocaine use disorder.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, heart disability, and TBI and residuals thereof are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, left and right hand disorders, left and right wrist disorders, and headache disorder (to include migraine headaches) is denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions in the record.,Service connection for TBI or residuals thereof was also denied as there were no findings or diagnoses of a head injury or related symptoms in service or post-service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected traumatic brain injury residuals was denied as he does not require a higher level of care.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's TBI and its residuals, including memory issues, migraines, and mood disorders. Headaches are remanded due to exposure to Gulf War conditions.