Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic migraines was dismissed as moot because the claim was granted from the date the intent to file a claim for compensation was received on April 3, 2024. The other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's possible TBI. The claim of service connection for post-traumatic headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's application for benefits under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) was remanded due to inadequate notice and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case is now being reviewed with new evidence considered.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent disabled for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder related to TBI prior to June 5, 2024, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter was denied. The decision also noted the need for further development regarding entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Temporomandibular Joint Disease, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions. Service connection was granted for a dental disability.,The Veteran's TBI and TMJ disabilities were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including consideration of new evidence and clarification of the effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and headaches, claimed as TBI symptoms have resulted in the inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted effective October 13, 2023. The Board finds that continuous pursuit of the claim since September 7, 2021, warrants an earlier effective date of September 7, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability secondary to service-connected migraines, but denied service connection for TBI with neurocognitive impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and related psychiatric disorders for the period prior to January 13, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected traumatic brain injury with unspecified anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and some issues were remanded. The Veteran was not granted higher ratings for his TBI with depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's TBI, evaluation for cognitive impairment, is rated at the highest possible level (100%) and granted. Special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is also granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 1, 2014 for a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), finding that his claims were continuously pursued and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 100% from August 5, 2020. The issue of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was granted as of the same date due to his total disability rating for PTSD with TBI. The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot since he already has a total schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disabilities are related to service and remands for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the listed conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of those claims at a hearing before the Board.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims will not be reconsidered until a person eligible for substitution files a request within one year of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a lack of determination on whether it is in his best interest. The Board found that he has been in need of personal care services for at least six continuous months based on his psychiatric and physical disorders, but further evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the PCAFC program would be in his best interest.