Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by his service, thus denying service connection for a TBI.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10 percent from October 3, 2014 to November 8, 2020. She is granted a noncompensable rating for partial loss of smell during the same period.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate, constituting a duty to assist error. The Veteran's claim of service connection for TBI, including MUCMI, undiagnosed illness, and memory loss is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 7, 2019 for the award of service connection for headaches. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for TBI with vertigo is remanded due to a lack of sufficient VA examination records.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, dizziness, TBI, headaches, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and diverticulitis based on new evidence received since previous decisions. The claims are granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including PTSD with traumatic brain injury residuals. The VA examiners' opinions were inadequate and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI with residuals is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as a higher rating for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and traumatic brain injury with migraines.

The Board has dismissed all issues of appeal as the Veteran withdrew his appeals before the decision was made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for frostbite of the right and left feet as there is no current disability related to this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including TBI and Ross River Virus infection, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in all cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent TBI residuals was denied as no evidence of such condition during active service or thereafter. The rating for tinea pedis remains noncompensable due to the use of topical treatment. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate were granted prior to September 15, 2020. Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance was established prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right or left knee disability, TBI residuals, or nerve condition in his right arm. The evidence does not support finding these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI is due to an incident during service, and therefore grants service connection for TBI.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits arose on June 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from June 24, 2010 to June 14, 2016 precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety), headache disorder, TBI, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sinusitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinea versicolor of the arms, leg, chest, and face are all denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 18, 2020 for a 100% rating for PTSD with insomnia disorder and TBI. The Veteran's condition was found to have worsened since the last decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a TBI and an increased rating for migraines, finding no current disability related to these conditions.