Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for TBI residuals and depressive disorder secondary to TBI is being remanded due to incomplete testing of memory impairment, conflicting opinions regarding the severity of TBI residuals, and a need for an updated opinion on whether the psychiatric disabilities are secondary to or aggravated by the TBI.

The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to September 4, 2012, for the grant of service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence indicating a formal or informal claim for TBI received after July 2003 and before September 4, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches and depressive disorder associated with TBI have been granted an effective date of October 23, 2007. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been granted from October 23, 2007 to September 3, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist and will need further development.

The Board has ordered additional development for the service connection claims related to high cholesterol, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI)), and a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development on the issues of service connection for TBI, GERD, hypertension, PTSD, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and Social Security Administration records, as well as for medical opinions on various issues.

The Veteran's TBI is currently rated at a 90 percent combined rating, and the Board denied increased ratings for his TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to July 19, 2018, for the grant of service connection and special monthly compensation. The effective date was set at July 19, 2018, which is when VA received the Veteran's intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his mental health conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and a new VA examination for PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, a back disorder, a right knee disorder, degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee, PFB, and bilateral foot skin disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, headaches, seizure disorder, and bilateral eye disorder due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on multiple claims, including service connection for left upper extremity spasticity, a disability manifested by slow speech, traumatic brain injury, cognitive impairment with irritability, poor impulse control, and concentration issues, as well as an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a balance and equilibrium condition, diagnosed as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) other than a scar is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a left foot disability, residuals of TBI, and dizziness or imbalance to include Meniere's Disease.,Service connection is denied for all three conditions.

Service connection for left knee impairment, migraines, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is reopened.,Service connection for glaucoma and photophobia OU/contraction of the visual field OU as secondary to TBI is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for TBI and/or Neurocognitive Disorder, as well as a psychiatric disorder. The VA will obtain an examination to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service or secondary to the Veteran's service-connected seizure disorder.

The Veteran's appeals of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI, and increased disability rating for scars of the left hand have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral hand disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there was no clinical diagnosis of TBI with current residuals at any time during the appeal.