Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's TBI, headaches (migraines), and GERD have been granted service connection as secondary to their respective service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective December 2022.,Left great ingrown toenail residuals were denied a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has recurrent head injury residuals, including TBI residuals and a headache disability. The examination must consider the Veteran's subjective history of injuries during basic training.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is related to service and granted.,Service connection for a TBI and migraines, as secondary to the claimed TBI, are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, PTSD, migraines, right knee pain, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and ratings related to TBI residuals, speech changes, and cerebral vascular accident residuals due to procedural issues following the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive features and TBI are found to cause his balance/dizziness disability. He is granted a 40 percent rating for TBI from August 31, 2015, to December 20, 2022.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary due to the AOJ's failure to fully comply with previous remand directives regarding scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's TBI.

The Board found that the Veteran's TBI clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD with bipolar disorder, panic disorder, alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and traumatic brain injury was denied as there is no legal basis for a higher schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 13, 2025, for the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD with bipolar disorder, panic disorder, alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and traumatic brain injury was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders were manifested by total occupational and social impairment within one year of the February 7, 2025 claim.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not provide proper notice of a right to a hearing, and thus remanded the case for further action. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability, migraines, and TBI residuals are now pending.

The Board has determined that the initial decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was legally inadequate due to insufficient notice and a lack of an adequate medical opinion. The case is being remanded to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable rating for service-connected TBI, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU), and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance. The reasons include an error in failing to make reasonable efforts to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Testa at VCU Medical Center.

The Veteran's TBI with headaches is rated at 50 percent effective March 14, 2015. Prior to May 18, 2023, the Veteran was not entitled to a higher rating for his TBI. Effective May 18, 2023, he received a separate 40 percent rating for TBI under DC 8045. The effective date of TDIU is also set at March 14, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraines has been denied, but he is now receiving service connection and an effective date of July 13, 2022, for his migraines. The Veteran also received an effective date of July 13, 2022, for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran and his spouse are not eligible for benefits under the PCAFC program due to a lack of personal care services. The appeal is being remanded to provide further clarification on eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder with TBI residuals, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI). As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities related to cervical dysplasia, costochondritis, right elbow disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or sinus bradycardia. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.