Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's left zygomatic arch fracture, including its current level of severity and whether nerve involvement should be considered under other potentially applicable rating codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and providing the Veteran's attorney with copies of the examiners' resumes/curricula vitae.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, secondary to diabetes mellitus, was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus.,Service connection for sleep apnea and traumatic brain injury remains pending as the claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with mood disorder, MDD, and TBI prior to October 11, 2021, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for clarification on whether certain symptoms overlap between PTSD and TBI.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for TBI disability was denied, and his PTSD disability is rated at various levels. The right shoulder disorder and OSA claims are also pending.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for service-connected TBI residuals and tension headaches have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI and headaches are rated at the maximum allowed, but his tinea pedis is not compensable. The Board found that he has right arm disability of nerve damage/muscle atrophy, vein damage, and injury (previously claimed as scars, status post brachial artery repair), a right shoulder disability, and right-hand arthritis due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, internal hemorrhoids, TBI, and headaches with migraine features have been granted service connection.,An increased rating of 10 percent has been granted for the left and right knee disabilities since July 7, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), increased ratings for Major Depressive Disorder associated with TBI, and increased ratings for migraine headaches. Additionally, the claim for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded.

The Veteran's TBI/post-concussive syndrome and right side diaphragm paralysis are granted service connection as they are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's TBI and left knee disability are granted, but the case is remanded for further development regarding his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of head injury, including headaches and TBI, are not related to his military service. The VA medical opinions provided significant probative value in concluding that there is no link between the Veteran's current condition and his time in active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service injuries and exposure. The cases are returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records, including private treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and traumatic brain injury are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a TBI, headaches as secondary to residuals of a TBI, and sleep disability as secondary to tinnitus due to lack of medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and a rating in excess of 20 percent for Right Shoulder Strain with Degenerative Changes have been dismissed. The remaining issues, including those related to the right knee, left knee, and PTSD, are remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including evaluations and opinions regarding the Veteran's TBI, psychiatric disorders, ischemic heart disease, hearing loss, respiratory disorder, prostate disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and vertigo.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for hearing loss, migraines, and TBI were denied. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use and unspecified depressive disorder was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 27, 2018 for the grant of service connection for migraines was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, migraines, chronic bronchitis, hemorrhoids, acid reflux, and insomnia have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service occurrence or aggravation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed Traumatic Brain Injury. A new VA medical opinion is needed to address whether it is at least as likely as not that the injury had its onset during service or is related to service.