Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for TBI is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an adequate examination. The AOJ should also address whether there has been reasonable raising of a claim for service connection for a headache disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TBI service connection is denied as the earliest possible effective date is January 27, 1994.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for major depressive disorder service connection is dismissed because it was received within one year of separation from service and thus the earliest possible effective date is November 3, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for focal seizure with secondary generalization service connection is denied as the earliest possible effective date is October 26, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI residuals and an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of current TBI residuals or significant impairment from PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has not manifested with symptoms resulting in total occupational and social impairment during the period on appeal prior to January 10, 2025.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with TBI has been granted a 100 percent rating, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The decision is based on total occupational and social impairment caused by the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI and migraines are denied, while the scar of the left cheek is granted. The remaining conditions (lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and hypertension) do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, finding that there is no evidence of a TBI during active military service. The Veteran's statements about in-service head injuries are not credible given his prior reports of lack of such incidents.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and TBI is dismissed due to the untimeliness of his Notice of Disagreement, which was submitted more than one year after the February 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, restless leg syndrome, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heart disability to include cardiac arrythmia, right hand disability, TBI, bilateral eye disability as secondary to TBI, and vertigo as secondary to TBI are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is based on direct evidence of a relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's combined rating for PTSD with TBI is denied as the criteria for a higher rating are not met. The issue of separate ratings for PVD was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to October 16, 2023, and initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction have been denied.,Claims for service connection of left shoulder disorder, hypertension, TBI, and IBS are also remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 21, 2020 for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that his claim was not filed until August 19, 2020 and denying any inference of a PTSD claim based on his TBI claim.

The Veteran's headache disorder, diagnosed as migraine headaches, is granted service connection. The claim for TBI (head trauma) is remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability within one year of separation from service and the VA examiner found no etiological link between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.,The Veteran's frostbite of the bilateral feet is denied as there is no current diagnosis of cold injuries, only peripheral artery disease and lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's tinea pedis, left back scar, and allergic rhinitis are not rated higher than the current noncompensable ratings.,Service connection for sinusitis, right achilles tendon strain, depression, and sleep disturbances is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence after a prior denial. The Board finds that VA examinations and medical opinions are necessary to properly determine entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, TBI, tinnitus, and hearing loss disabilities prevented him from following substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2010. The Board grants an effective date of May 1, 2010 for the award of TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, a compensable evaluation for posttraumatic headaches, or service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD), herniated disc, stiff lower back, pinched nerve.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for a rating in excess of 70 percent for anxiety disorder and residuals of TBI, as well as service connection for endometriosis and hysterectomy.