Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for the right hip, left ankle, low back, and TBI residuals conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical records, and his statements regarding the onset of these conditions during service have been found to be credible.

The Veteran's service-connected MDD and TBI prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU beginning January 1, 2015. SMC was granted for the period starting January 9, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and traumatic brain injury due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and a psychiatric disability, finding that there is no persuasive evidence of record supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for TBI and PTSD from 40 percent to 0 percent was not proper, as there is no evidence of actual improvement in the Veteran's conditions. The original ratings are restored.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for accrued benefits, granting an initial compensable rating of 50 percent for service-connected post-traumatic headaches associated with residuals, TBI with memory loss.

The Board has determined that the previous decision denying PCAFC benefits was not supported by a sufficient rationale and requires further review. The Veteran's eligibility for personal care services is being remanded to obtain a new medical opinion addressing his need for such services.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD, along with visual spatial orientation manifestations of TBI, are rated at 70 percent for the period from July 14, 2009 to November 17, 2020. The Veteran's visual spatial orientation related to TBI is rated at 40 percent for the period from April 1, 2017 to March 5, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for TBI and related conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including TBI, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with insomnia, and migraine.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor events. The secondary service connection and SMC based on need for aid and attendance claims are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the primary service connection claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective June 7, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran was entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury and resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for chronic and severe major depressive disorder, traumatic brain injury (MDD) has been dismissed due to the withdrawal request by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues related to PTSD with TBI, lumbosacral strain, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, stating he no longer has any disabilities and wishes to discontinue VA disability benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing and an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate has been denied. The Veteran does not meet the specific legal criteria required to establish eligibility for these benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its residuals, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service head injury or TBI. The Court vacated the decision due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder with TBI and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 27, 2021 have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of both issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for PTSD, TBI, and a back condition due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected TBI with memory loss is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requests a medical opinion from a neuropsychologist or psychiatrist to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability can be distinguished from any non-TBI mental health diagnosis and whether it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right shoulder impingement syndrome, right knee arthralgia, and right ankle condition have been granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been established for VA purposes. An initial rating of 40 percent for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is granted.