Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's MDD with anxious distress is granted as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.,The Veteran's TBI is granted based on evidence linking it to military service.,The Veteran's OSA is granted and linked to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for migraines has been denied as the evidence does not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging at least once every two months.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol use and TBI is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must attempt to obtain private psychiatric treatment records from Dr. T.H.

The Veteran's appeals for increased PTSD and frostbite to face have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inconsistencies in his reported history of head trauma. The case requires further examination by VA to determine if any TBI preexisted service, whether it was aggravated by service, and its relation to service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 26, 2019 for a separate rating of TBI. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound criteria prior to February 26, 2020 and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to that date have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, heart palpitations, testosterone deficiency, and TBI due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's TBI is remanded for additional medical opinion to determine if it is related to the motor vehicle accident in service.,The Veteran's tenosynovitis of the right hand and left hand are remanded for additional medical opinion regarding whether they are secondary to cervical spondylosis and other service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for additional medical opinion regarding whether it is related to PTSD, lower extremity disabilities (but-for causes).

The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches are granted service connection, but his TBI is denied. The Board found the evidence in equipoise for tinnitus and headaches, granting them based on noise exposure and credible testimony. Service connection for TBI was denied due to lack of documented head injury or concussion during service.

The Veteran's acute intermittent tension headaches are granted a 50 percent disability rating, while the appeal for a higher TBI rating is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The AOJ must obtain and associate all relevant service treatment records, including those from his National Guard service.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 50 percent rating, the maximum schedular rating. The issue of a higher rating for PTSD with depression and TBI residuals is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of an initial compensable rating for TBI residuals and an increased rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran needs further evaluations by VA clinicians who have completed the DEMO TBI training module.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), back condition, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been reopened due to new evidence.,The Veteran's TBI claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current CVA to in-service head injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a spine condition and TBI due to incomplete medical records from Robins Air Force Base. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain these records and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is granted as the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected adjustment disorder, to include TBI, has at least approximated the 50 percent rating criteria under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders since the effective date of service connection. The case is remanded to obtain a new examination focusing on neuropsychological testing and assessing whether a separate compensable rating is warranted for cognitive impairment related to TBI.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's TBI is currently assigned a noncompensable rating prior to September 11, 2020, and a 10 percent rating thereafter.,For the period of the appeal from September 11, 2020, the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for PTSD and TBI, which were previously granted in an August 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied as there is no competent medical evidence of current residuals.,Service connection for a headache disability is granted, with the opinion stating that it is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.