Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2025

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied higher ratings and earlier effective dates for posttraumatic stress disorder with TBI residuals.

The Board remands all service connection claims for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include alcohol use disorder, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI), but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, a left eye condition, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, spondylosis, and bilateral wrist tendonitis.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding SSA disability benefit records.

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Parkinson's disease, as well as special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI and shortness of breath to obtain additional evidence.

The appeals for service connection for major depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and residuals of a left foot injury, as there was no current disability. The claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and headache disorder were remanded due to the need for further evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left and right knee disabilities, as well as denied increased ratings for TBI with PTSD and headaches, and a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain, lumbosacral and thoracic strain, and traumatic brain injury.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy from March 1, 2020, to August 4, 2020, and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with stenosis during the same period. The Board also denied other claims including service connection for residuals of head injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), an initial compensable rating for posterior trunk scar, and effective dates prior to November 1, 2020, for separate ratings for sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a traumatic brain injury to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for the soft tissue mass of the forehead and remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board granted an effective date of July 6, 2020, for the 70 percent rating for TBI residuals and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus and remanded several claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for a compensable disability rating for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 70 percent evaluation for TBI with persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) and PTSD, but granted an effective date of November 14, 2014, for a 50 percent evaluation for headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a TBI with memory loss and major depressive disorder, as well as remanded an issue related to the effective date of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD, and remanded the claim for a TBI rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for residuals of right and left foot frostbite to obtain additional evidence, including medical records from Grand Forks Air Force Base Hospital, and a new VA examination.