Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2025

The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and denied service connection for traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for TBI with PTSD, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with depression and anxiety and TBI with peripheral vestibular disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for readjudication of service connection for residuals of a concussion (traumatic brain injury) and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for headaches associated with zygomatic fracture residuals effective August 17, 2017, but denied earlier effective dates and higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an examination to determine current residuals.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, restored the 50 percent rating for migraines effective July 28, 2021, and granted an effective date of July 1, 2014 for service connection for vertigo. Other issues were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and non-compensable ratings for shin splints, right leg, left leg, and TBI. However, it granted restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain effective June 1, 2023, and remanded claims for service connection for tinnitus, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and cervical strain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for TBI (also claimed as breacher syndrome) and back injury to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist by obtaining a VA examination and corresponding medical opinion.

The Board granted an effective date of August 21, 2019, for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and granted service connection for headaches and vertigo as secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The appeal of the proposed reduction from 50 percent to 10 percent for service-connected PTSD with MDD and TBI, as well as the appeal of the proposed discontinuance of Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, are dismissed.

The Board granted an effective date of July 8, 2019 for service connection for TBI but denied an earlier effective date for right shoulder strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for TBI residuals from April 28, 2014, to September 23, 2019; a 70 percent rating from September 23, 2019, to August 19, 2022; and denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI residuals with PTSD from August 19, 2022.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD with TBI and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) due to his need for regular aid and attendance for residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board's decision to dismiss the appeal of a May 2020 rating decision that increased the rating for migraine and tension headaches to 50 percent, effective February 27, 2020, and continued a prior 70 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder with TBI is vacated due to a procedural error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis, PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder and traumatic brain injury/post-concussional syndrome, and GERD.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD with sleep impairment and TBI residuals, but denied non-compensable ratings for migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left elbow pain, right and left knee conditions, a finger condition, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), to afford the Veteran VA examinations.