Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent from January 19, 2021. A separate 10 percent rating for subjective symptoms of TBI was granted. The claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) remains denied.

The Veteran's residuals of TBI, PTSD with memory loss, seizures, IBS, tinnitus, and rhinitis have led to a need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that the Veteran requires assistance in eating, personal hygiene including toileting and showering, and medication management due to his service-connected conditions. Therefore, SMC based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, and a traumatic brain injury condition are remanded due to procedural errors in scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI, left hip strain (limitation of adduction), and right hip strain (limitation of extension) ratings have been restored to their previous levels.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not obtain all relevant records and medical opinions, leading to remand for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all the listed conditions and rating issues, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite of both feet due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding a September 2025 private medical record linking peripheral neuropathy to in-service frostbite.

The Board's decision granting SMC at the T rate was implemented, but the Veteran argues for additional increases. The appeal is dismissed as a matter of law because the implementation decision cannot be appealed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, and cognitive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 19, 2023. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the TDIU with SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI residuals are rated at 100 percent effective July 2, 2022. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due solely to service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder with TBI residuals is dismissed.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 40% effective September 10, 2022. The heart disability is rated at 60%, effective April 1, 2025.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the initial decision regarding eligibility for enrollment in the PCAFC program, and thus the case is being remanded to obtain a new medical opinion from the CEAT.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of TBI, left shin splints, and sleep apnea as his filings did not comply with numerous essential claims processing rules.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent, and the issues of IBS and CFS are dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder with a major depressive episode do not meet criteria for a higher rating. Service connection is granted for cervical strain and right knee pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, dyslexia, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to new evidence received after the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment from January 1, 2017 to May 16, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable ratings for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, back disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, TBI, pes planus, COPD, and GERD. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of headaches was granted, with the earliest possible effective date being October 1, 2012.,An earlier effective date of May 30, 2013, was granted for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance criteria. The Veteran's need for regular assistance due to his disabilities became apparent at this time.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence supporting the denial of PCAFC enrollment, and a new medical determination is needed considering all relevant information.