Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, thoracic spine disability, and lumbar spine (low back) disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for IBS and remanded other service connection issues due to new evidence. The lung disability, TBI, jaw disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and sinus disability claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the level of severity and any symptoms, including recurring headaches, memory problems, and concentration issues. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are due to the TBI or pre-service head injuries.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) incurred during active duty. The claimant's TBI is found to be at least as likely as not caused by an in-service explosion/blast.,Service connection was denied for increased ratings for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, left wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee strain with shin splints, left knee strain with shin splints, neck strain, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), left upper extremity, CTS, right upper extremity, hypertension (HTN), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has denied service connection for a residuals of traumatic brain injury and remanded the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a neck and vocal cord disability due to thyroid surgery, as there is no current evidence of such disabilities.

The Veteran's increased ratings for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and TBI were granted effective June 16, 2020. The Board found no earlier effective date was warranted as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to the formal claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further review due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination for TBI. The issues of service connection for TBI and entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The TBI or concussion claim is remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's bilateral hand tremors are granted as service-connected.,PTSD with TBI is granted an increased rating to 70 percent, the maximum available under current criteria.,Posttraumatic headaches are granted a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of traumatic brain injury before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, sinusitis, an eye condition (including cataracts and pseudophakia), a bilateral ear condition (including residuals of frostbite), and hammer toes due to potential errors in the initial decision-making process. Additional development is needed, including VA examinations that address the etiology of these conditions based on exposure to diesel fumes during service.

The Board is remanding the case for further adjudication, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a November 1978 administrative decision regarding dishonorable service. The earlier effective dates for PTSD, TBI, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also being considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches remains denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.,Service connection was denied for traumatic brain injury, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis or established link to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran suffered a TBI in service due to an assault and continues to experience residual symptoms, granting service connection for TBI residuals.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness of the bilateral hands, feet, a low back disability, and TBI. The claims are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected polysubstance abuse and dependence is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a TBI with depressive disorder and COPD with pneumothorax.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for peripheral vestibular disorder and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support an increase in disability ratings or a finding of unemployability due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development, specifically missing neuropsychological testing and an examination by a clinician with appropriate expertise. The Veteran will need to undergo these additional evaluations before his claim can be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate examinations, unclear medical opinions, and procedural issues. The VA is instructed to obtain employment information from the Veteran's former employers and schedule a new examination.