Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2025

The Board determined that the reduction of the evaluation from 70 percent to 40 percent for service-connected PTSD with TBI was not proper.

The Board granted SMC based on a higher level of aid and attendance for the service-connected disabilities associated with TBI, but denied an earlier effective date.

The Board remands the matters of service connection for a right foot disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to TBI, and increased ratings for TBI and associated headaches due to further development needed.

The Board remands the case for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, PTSD, and TBI with post-concussive syndrome.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 19, 2016, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The appeal for service connection for residuals of bilateral ear frostbite has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the 'l' rate for aid and attendance, to include SMC at the 't' rate for aid and attendance based on residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), from February 27, 1995, due to missing treatment records.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for residuals frostbite of both the right and left foot, effective August 10, 2015.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and residuals of a traumatic brain injury to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding obtaining relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to a need to obtain additional records and clarify the Veteran's Reserve service dates.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and examinations.

The Board denied entitlement to an effective date prior to March 31, 2020 for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, traumatic brain injury, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left hip disability.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for posttraumatic migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease, but denied an earlier effective date for erectile dysfunction. The Board also granted a 20 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability and cognitive impairment, to include TBI, due to insufficient evidence.

The appeal for a higher rating for the service-connected low back disability was denied, while appeals for other conditions were dismissed.

The veteran withdrew all claims for service connection, and the appeal was dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including residuals of fragment wounds left thigh and both buttocks with retained metallic fragments, right lower extremity scar, left lower extremity scars, painful fragment wound scars, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ischemic heart disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including residuals of fragment wounds left thigh and both buttocks with retained metallic fragments, right lower extremity scar, left lower extremity scars, painful fragment wound scars, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ischemic heart disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and hypertension.

The Board remands the issues of reduction in disability rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TBI, and entitlement to special monthly compensation due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The appeal for service connection for a left knee disability was dismissed due to untimeliness of the notice of disagreement. Other claims were remanded for further development.