Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for post-traumatic brain injury headaches, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's headache disability is rated noncompensable prior to April 21, 2021, while a separate rating of 10 percent but no higher for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted from August 18, 2022.

The Veteran's bipolar/TBI disorder is rated at 100 percent effective February 3, 2023. The Board found that the evidence showed total occupational and social impairment beginning on this date.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, ischemic heart disease, and residuals of traumatic brain injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.,There was no credible evidence of herbicide exposure or POW status in North Korea.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's TBI residuals are related to head injuries sustained during a period of inactive duty training (IDT) in 1984, and thus service connection for these residuals is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The Veteran is requested to provide information about his current treatment, including from VA facilities and private providers. A new examination is needed for both head injury/TBI and headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing records, particularly regarding the Veteran's head injury and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable rating for TBI, service connection for right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and service connection for headaches as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied. The effective date of the award for post-concussive migraine headaches and TBI is set at April 11, 2017.,Service connection for TBI and left eyebrow scar was also granted with an effective date of April 11, 2017.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,Right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are also granted as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.,Residuals of TBI, low back disability, eye disability (to include as due to TBI), and right ankle disability are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,Malaria, heart disability, aortic aneurysm, diabetes mellitus, and sleep disability are also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions due to incomplete records, inadequate examination reports, and failure to address certain aspects of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the issues on appeal. The Veteran's bladder disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and right shoulder disability are all being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury residuals, including residual scars, as these conditions are found to have originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and traumatic brain injury due to incomplete information from the Veteran regarding his employment history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorder, and headaches due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider toxic exposure during service.

The Board has denied service connection for a TBI and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is now pending again with new evidence required.

The Board has remanded the claims for traumatic brain injury, parkinsonism as secondary to TBI and/or service-connected headaches, empty sella syndrome (ESS) as secondary to TBI, cervical spine disability, and neck lesion condition (tumor). The Veteran's testimony indicates that he may have outstanding VA treatment records. Updated VA treatment records should be obtained on remand.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of head trauma (claimed as traumatic brain injury), headaches, memory loss, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Barrett's esophagus, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and clarification regarding the Veteran's TBI claim, including a VA examination.

The appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, and left ankle sprain residuals are dismissed. The appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, TBI with associated headaches and sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis (limitation of extension), and right knee tendonitis (limitation of flexion) are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and a separate compensable rating for residuals of TBI apart from PTSD, as the claim for OSA has been granted.