Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of TBI, including headaches, is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's TBI-related symptoms.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 70 percent since June 26, 2018. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms more nearly approximated moderately severely impaired judgment.

The Veteran's initial intent to file claims for service connection for TBI with PTSD, migraines, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus was received by VA on March 8, 2019. The effective dates for these awards are denied as they were not earlier than March 8, 2019.,The Veteran's intent to file a claim for SMC based on housebound status prior to February 1, 2017 was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Parkinson's disease, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cognitive decline and memory loss are due to his service-connected TBI. The Veteran is entitled to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, but further development is needed to determine if he would require institutional care in the absence of a caregiver.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD with TBI and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, employment history, and completion of VA forms.

The Board has decided that service connection for diplopia is granted, but the issue of service connection for residuals of TBI other than those already granted remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for a TBI with unspecified anxiety disorder, dizziness, mild memory loss, insomnia and hypersensitivity to sound and light is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the scheduling of a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, migraines, and vertigo due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in the line of duty.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection due to procedural defects in filing.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are manifested by almost daily headaches. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the service-connected TBI, as his subjective symptom of daily headaches is already compensated through a separate condition (headaches).

The Board denied service connection for alcohol use disorder and an anxiety disorder, granted service connection for a deviated septum, and granted ratings of 80 percent but no higher for narcolepsy and 20 percent but no higher for dry eye syndrome with arcus senillis.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, but his entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to June 14, 2016, for the award of service connection for a traumatic brain injury.

The Board grants service connection for traumatic brain injury based on the Veteran's in-service head injuries during his duties as a martial arts instructor.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to uncertainty regarding his employment status during the period on appeal. The Board needs more information about his work history and earnings.

The Board denied service connection for TBI and restored a 10 percent disability rating for right knee instability from September 22, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the initial decision and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's TBI claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and traumatic brain injury with memory loss is denied. The appeal for a right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome rating in excess of 10 percent is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his bilateral foot and knee conditions.