Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed as the appeal period ended with a full award of benefits.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with dysthymia was denied due to symptoms not meeting criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his TBI began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine status post fusion with associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's traumatic brain injury with associated chronic post-traumatic headaches is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without assistive devices and lack of blindness in both eyes.

The Veteran's TBI appeal was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her request for review.,Service connection is granted for cervical strain and spinal stenosis (neck condition), low back condition, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids secondary to service-connected IBS.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 24, 1981 for the service connection of unspecified psychotic disorder with moderate alcohol use disorder and traumatic brain injury, as well as migraine headaches. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran filed a claim within one year of his separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for the remaining conditions listed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy is dismissed. The claims of service connection for TBI, anxiety disorder with panic attacks, GERD, and female hypoactive sexual desire disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status, as he is able to care for himself and does not require regular aid and assistance.

Service connection has been granted for broken nose, facial scars, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, TBI, right ankle pain, sleep apnea as secondary to broken nose, and acquired psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's service-connected broken nose is linked to an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, residuals of head injury (TBI), and cervical spine disability (claimed as neck pain) due to the lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for higher-level aid and attendance benefits is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the need for daily specialized medical assistance. The Board requests an addendum opinion from a VA physician to determine if such services are necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need for regular aid and attendance of another person, and the Board has granted SMC based on this need prior to June 11, 2020.

The Veteran's cervical strain is related to his active service and the claim for this condition has been granted. The claims for hypertension, TBI, back disability, migraine headaches, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to errors in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 1, 2015.,The Veteran's TBI is rated at 10 percent effective July 1, 2015.

The Veteran's TBI, posttraumatic migraine headaches, and right hip strains have all been granted increased initial disability ratings effective June 7, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is currently rated at 70 percent, effective August 17, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is currently rated at 70 percent, effective August 17, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected insomnia disorder and TBI with left inferior orbit condition are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was previously granted in August 2023, covering the entire period of appeal. The case is now dismissed as there are no longer any unresolved issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's TBI is related to his military service. The Veteran was involved in a fall from a repel tower during active duty, and he claims this caused his TBI.