Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2026

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for aid and attendance is granted due to his cognitive impairment resulting from a motor vehicle accident in 2018, which has rendered him unable to work and needing assistance with daily activities.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective July 1, 2021. The reduction is upheld as the evidence showed improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Peripheral Vestibular Disorder (PVD) was denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted as the claim for PVD was received on April 16, 2020 and granted service connection at that time.

The Board has granted service connection for moderate persistent reactive airway disease without complication. The claims for sleep apnea, hypertension (high blood pressure), and traumatic brain injury are remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has already decided that an increased rating for PTSD with TBI is not warranted and has assigned a September 1, 2023 effective date for SMC at the housebound rate. The Veteran's appeals are dismissed as moot.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD and TBI residuals from 70% to 70%, effective October 28, 2020. The reduction was improper due to a lack of evidence demonstrating improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent, which is denied as the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has denied service connection for TBI, back strain, chest pain, foot pain, and tendonitis as there is no evidence of disease or injury incurred during active duty or training.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury with subdural hematoma because no new and relevant evidence was submitted to support his claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of esophageal condition, right foot condition, headaches, seizure disorder, traumatic brain injury, and hypertension have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran during a Board hearing. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a separate 70 percent rating, effective October 8, 2018. The Veteran's TBI is rated at a separate 40 percent rating, effective January 6, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for residuals of TBI has been withdrawn. The cases of service connection for left shoulder and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and mouth injury have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection has not been established for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis, cervical spine, or OSA due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI residuals are currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 14, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI (head injury), cervical spine disability (neck injury), and vertigo have been denied. The Board has found that there is insufficient competent medical evidence to support these claims.,A VA examination is required to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo.

The Board has granted service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), headaches as residuals of TBI, and an acquired psychiatric condition including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Persistent Depressive Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) secondary to service-connected headache residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, seizure disorder, photophobia, and headaches are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 10, 2010, for the award of special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance due to residuals of traumatic brain injury under 38 U.S.C. 1114(t) is granted.