Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and TBI residuals, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service symptoms. Service connection for MDD as secondary to TBI residuals is also granted.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 20, 2017. Other service-connected conditions have been assigned specific ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the initial rating for residuals of TBI from 10% to zero percent was improper, and has ordered a remand for further evaluation. The Veteran's appeal also includes an issue regarding entitlement to an increased rating for his TBI residuals.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches associated with TBI is granted, effective August 27, 2015. The claim of an initial compensable rating for TBI is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected TBI was denied, and his claim for service connection for headaches remains pending. The Board has remanded both issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and requests for additional development, including obtaining adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and TBI.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and has been present continuously since then, meeting all elements of Shedden v. Principi (381 F.3d 1163).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and assessment.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD is denied an increased rating. The right wrist disability issue requires further development.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic motor or vocal tic disorder, traumatic brain injury, left knee disorder, fibromyalgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions in the record, and there is insufficient evidence to support a relationship between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung condition because it was not properly appealed on a VA Form 9. The TBI issue is remanded for additional development.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the April 2023 VA examination, requiring an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed TBI and its residuals.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a TBI was reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding that he has residuals of a TBI due to an in-service injury, including his combat service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, with insomnia and TBI caused his hypertension. The effective date for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches is set at August 29, 2014.

The Veteran's disability ratings for Traumatic Brain Injury and Tension Headaches were reduced, but the Board found that these reductions were improper due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement in function under ordinary conditions. As a result, the original ratings are restored.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include TBI, a psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, and a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for persistent depressive disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder and traumatic brain injury was dismissed.,A 50 percent rating for migraine including migraine variants since December 21, 2016, is granted.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for an increased initial rating for TBI prior to June 12, 2013. The claim of a higher rating for TBI effective from June 12, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.