Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of a compensable rating based on the current severity.,Service connection for GERD and IBS has been denied due to lack of current diagnoses or symptoms related to these conditions during service or within one year post-service.,The Veteran's TBI claim is also denied as there are no current diagnoses or symptoms related to this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for MDD was denied.,Service connection for PTSD was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active service and remanded the claims of TBI residuals, acquired psychiatric disorder, groin injury residuals, and scleral icterus due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed Traumatic Brain Injury, including his in-service fall and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran's non-traumatic brain injury was not caused by the March 4, 2019 VA treatment and is therefore not compensable under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including left knee, TBI residuals, right ankle and foot disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and finds no evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, service connection for all issues is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and frontotemporal dementia, finding that the Veteran's TBI in service caused his development of frontotemporal dementia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including adjustment disorder and traumatic brain injury, is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if the current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's need for supervision, protection, or instruction on a continuous basis due to his conditions like CMT disease and TBI has been recognized. The Board grants the Level 2 stipend under the PCAFC effective August 29, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI was incurred during service and is related to his military service, thus granting service connection for a TBI.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and a failure to obtain an adequate examination or medical opinion. The Veteran is required to be provided with new VA examinations and medical opinions that address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, and depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, motivation and mood disturbances, and chronic sleep impairment/disturbance.

The Veteran's TBI disability is being remanded for additional evidence and a VA examination to determine the appropriate rating.,Service connection for vascular dementia secondary to service-connected disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 7, 2025. The Board denied entitlement to a higher rating for the period prior to this date.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with TBI, but the Board finds it not factually ascertainable that the increase occurred within one year prior to the January 2, 2020 claim.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The Board found the disability was permanent as of January 2, 2020 and thus grants DEA eligibility from that date.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (concussion) and sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability due to withdrawal. Service connection was granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, migraines, and TBI.

The claims for increased initial ratings for tinnitus, PTSD with TBI, limitation of extension and adduction of each hip, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded.

The Veteran's TBI with peripheral vestibular disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective November 24, 2021. The Board found the evidence to be at least evenly balanced as to whether the service-connected condition approximated no greater than level 3 impairment in cognitive impairment.