Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the increased disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, posttraumatic degenerative changes, traumatic brain injury with insomnia and dizziness, and post traumatic residuals of left ankle and fracture of the left tibia/fibula with internal fixator, all from December 16, 2020.

The Board granted the appeal to restore service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury with generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the severance was improper.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a compensable rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), to include the propriety of the rating reduction from 40 percent to noncompensable, as additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the claims.

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) but granted service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD, insomnia disorder, and TBI with mild neurocognitive disorder, DEA based on permanent and total disability status, and service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol or unspecified hyperlipidemia, tuberculosis (TB), traumatic brain injury, migraines, low back disability, neck disability, and others. The claims were not supported by sufficient evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) but granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and TBI, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder impingement syndrome, right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndromes, and hypertension.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for hypertension and denied a higher rating, while remanding several service connection claims.

The appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 30 percent for scars, and the claims for increased ratings for TBI and headaches, as well as service connection for seizures, were remanded for further development.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for service-connected TBI with PTSD, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and BPPV from 100 percent to zero percent was proper due to the Veteran's failure to report for necessary examinations without good cause.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and Meniere's disease to ensure that VA satisfies its duty to assist in obtaining relevant records.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury and bilateral hearing loss, but granted earlier effective dates for a 40 percent rating for low back disability and for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a compensable initial evaluation for prostate cancer residuals and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied increased ratings for tinnitus, TBI, and other conditions. Effective dates were also granted for the grant of service connection for certain disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all listed issues, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating from September 2, 2021, to February 13, 2022, and a higher rating from February 14, 2022.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with traumatic brain injury cognitive, emotional, and behavioral residuals was denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for TBI, hypertension, PTSD, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.